§ 4451 - Definitions - Vermont Statutes

§ 4451. Definitions

As used in this chapter:

(1) "Audiologist" means a person licensed to practice audiology under this chapter.

(2) "Audiology" means the application of principles, methods and procedures related to hearing and the disorders of hearing, and to related language and speech disorders, which includes all conditions that impede the normal process of human communication, including disorders of auditory sensitivity, acuity, function or processing.

(3) "Board" means the Vermont standards board for professional educators unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(4) "Department" means the department of education.

(5) "Director" means the director of the office of professional regulation.

(6) "Disciplinary action" means any action taken by the administrative law officer appointed pursuant to subsection 129(j) of Title 3 against a licensee or applicant for licensure under this chapter, premised on a finding that the person has engaged in unprofessional conduct. "Disciplinary action" includes all sanctions of any kind, including obtaining injunctions, refusal to give an examination, refusal to grant or renew a license, suspension or revocation of a license, placement of limitations or restrictions upon a license, issuance of warnings, ordering restitution and other similar sanctions.

(7) "Hearing aid" means an amplifying device to be worn by a hearing-impaired person to improve hearing, including any accessories specifically used in connection with such a device, but excluding theater or auditorium wide-area listening devices, telephone amplifiers, or other devices designed to replace a hearing aid for restricted situations.

(8) "Practice of audiology" includes:

(A) facilitating the conservation of auditory system function, and developing and implementing environmental and occupational hearing conservation programs;

(B) screening, identifying, assessing and interpreting, diagnosing, preventing, and rehabilitating peripheral and central auditory system dysfunctions;

(C) providing and interpreting behavioral and electro-physiological measurements of auditory, vestibular and facial nerve functions;

(D) selecting, fitting and dispensing of hearing aids, amplification, assistive listening and alerting devices, implantable devices, and other systems, and providing training in their use;

(E) dispensing hearing aids, including conducting and interpreting hearing tests for the purpose of selecting suitable hearing aids;

(F) making ear molds or impressions;

(G) providing instruction to patients on the care and use of hearing aids, auditory system functions, and hearing conservation;

(H) all acts pertaining to selling, renting, leasing, pricing, delivering and giving warranties for hearing aids;

(I) providing aural rehabilitation and related counseling services to hearing-impaired individuals and their families;

(J) screening of speech-language and other factors affecting communication function for the purposes of an audiologic evaluation, or initial identification of individuals with other communication disorders; and

(K) management of cerumen.

(9) "The practice of speech-language pathology" includes:

(A) screening, identifying, assessing and interpreting, diagnosing, rehabilitating, and preventing disorders of language and speech, including disorders involving articulation, fluency, and voice;

(B) screening, identifying, assessing and interpreting, diagnosing, and rehabilitating disorders of oral-pharyngeal function, including dysphagia and related disorders;

(C) screening, identifying, assessing and interpreting, diagnosing and rehabilitating communication disorders;

(D) assessing, selecting and developing augmentative and alternative communication systems, and providing training in their use;

(E) providing aural rehabilitation and related counseling services to hearing-impaired individuals and their families;

(F) enhancing speech-language proficiency and communication effectiveness, including accent reduction; and

(G) screening of hearing and other factors for the purpose of speech-language evaluation, or the initial identification of individuals with other communication disorders.

(10) "Private practice" means any work performed by a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist that is not within the jurisdiction of the board.

(11) "Secretary" means the secretary of state.

(12) "Speech-language pathologist" means a person licensed to practice speech-language pathology under this chapter.

(13) "Speech-language pathology" means the application of principles, methods and procedures related to the development and disorders of human communication, which include any and all conditions that impede the normal process of human communication.

(14) "Within the jurisdiction of the board" means conduct or work performed by a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist on behalf of a supervisory union or public school district in Vermont or an independent school approved for special education purposes, or conduct otherwise subject to discipline under the licensing rules of the board. (Added 2001, No. 151 (Adj. Sess.), § 45, eff. July 1, 2003; amended 2005, No. 214 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. July 1, 2007.)