Sec.20-406-4. Course of study

(a) The course of study, as required by section 20-398 (a) of the Connecticut General Statutes, shall consist of two parts: a formal course of instruction approved by the Department of Health Services and a practical course of study of not less than forty (40) hours of instruction administered by a Connecticut-licensed hearing aid dealer. Both parts of the course of study shall include the following areas of study:

(1) the basic physics of sound;

(2) anatomy and physiology of the ear;

(3) the function of hearing aids;

(4) practical knowledge of fitting and dispensing hearing aids;

(5) the taking of ear mold impressions; and

(6) use of equipment employed in the fitting and dispensing of hearing aids.

(b) The practical course of study shall also include instruction in the provisions of the Connecticut General Statutes, Sections 20-396 through 20-407, inclusive, as most recently amended, these regulations, and any federal laws and regulations governing the sale and fitting of hearing aid devices.

(c) The hearing aid dealer providing the practical course of study shall document in writing to the Department of Health Services the dates and successful completion of the forty hours of practical instruction.

(d) In lieu of the course of study described in subsection (a) of this section, an applicant may substitute successful completion of either a master's degree in audiology from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or a post-secondary course in hearing aid dispensing at a regionally accredited institution of higher education. In either case, the program shall contain the content areas described in subdivisions (1) through (6), inclusive, of subsection (a) of this section. Candidates shall provide such documentation as the department may request to verify that the master's degree program or post-secondary course contained the required content areas.

(e) A person engaged in a course of study and holding a temporary permit may engage in activities authorized by Chapter 398 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended, only under the supervision of a Connecticut-licensed hearing aid dealer. Such person shall cause to be documented in writing to the Department of Health Services the dates and successful completion of the course of study.

(Effective March 27, 1989)