The Audiology Practice Standards Organization (APSO) announced the release of its latest standard for public review and comment. This standard is titled “Hearing Aid Fitting Standard for Pediatric Patients” and describes the work that audiologists do to fit hearing aids on children. This standard is the product of two different groups of subject matter experts composed of audiologists across the US.
Any US audiologist may review and comment on the hearing aid fitting standard and all comments are welcome, according to the announcement. APSO strives to “create standards that describe the basic practices of all audiologists and are evidence-based and produced with the support of the entire profession.”
APSO standards may be accessed and comments may be submitted at https://www.audiologystandards.org/standards/working.php. APSO encourages reviewers to provide evidence-based comments that include a rationale for edits. The draft standard will be available for public review and comment until April 29.
Audiology Practice Standards Organization is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to the purpose of developing and maintaining practice standards in the profession of audiology. Standards are developed by recognized subject matter experts in the subject area of each standard and are subject to review and comment by all practicing audiologists. APSO standards documents represent accepted standards of practice by audiologists, as described in peer-reviewed literature. All APSO standards are freely accessible to audiologists and the public. For more information about APSO or to view any standard, visit: https://www.audiologystandards.org/.
APSO is a community of audiologists who believe that developing and adopting practice standards is key to the future growth of the profession. As a 501(c)(6) non-profit APSO must have membership. Members are active in the organization and want to support the activities of APSO, both financially and through donation of their time and expertise. Members are eligible to run for a position on the APSO Board of Directors. If you are not currently a member, APSO would appreciate your support. You may join APSO by visiting its Membership page.
Source: APSO
Image: APSO and © Mathias Rosenthal | Dreamstime.com
As a semi-retired dual holder of certified clinical competence, I am reminded of the “standard” seriously advocated by the “language” branch of ASHA, which was in the process of adopting the Gold Seal” of the “PICA”, (Porch Indicator of Communication Ability) in the 1980’s, which was a “policing” endorsement of a process of which testing was the ultimate goal and involved nearly 100% of the resolution. Audiologists take care!
There’s nothing in the standard that relates to the telecoil. Telecoils are a vital inclusion for every hearing device and need to be properly calibrated. With these observations of the “standard” in mind, the “standard” is incomplete!