§ 17-84-305 - Examinations.
17-84-305. Examinations.
(a) The examination provided for in 17-84-304 shall be given by the Arkansas Board of Hearing Instrument Dispensers at least one (1) time each year.
(b) The examination may be written or practical, or both, and shall consist of tests of knowledge in the following areas as they pertain to the fitting of hearing instruments:
(1) Basic physics of sound;
(2) The human hearing mechanism, including the science of hearing and the causes and rehabilitation of abnormal hearing and hearing disorders;
(3) Structure and function of hearing instruments;
(4) Pure tone audiometry, including air conduction testing and bone conduction testing;
(5) Live voice or recorded voice speech audiometry, including speech reception threshold testing and speech discrimination testing;
(6) Effective masking;
(7) Recording and evaluation of audiograms and speech audiometry to determine hearing instrument candidacy;
(8) Selection and adaptation of hearing instruments;
(9) Taking earmold impressions;
(10) Tympanometry; and
(11) Testing of other knowledge and skills as may be required to determine an applicant's ability and suitability for the practice of dispensing hearing instruments to the public.
(c) The tests under this section shall not include questions requiring a medical or surgical education.
(d) (1) Applicants who fail to pass the required examination may retake the examination by paying a reexamination fee, as prescribed by the board pursuant to this chapter, for each additional examination taken.
(2) After three (3) failed attempts to pass the examination, the applicant shall complete an internship or repeat the internship described in 17-84-304.