HEALTH OCCUPATIONS PROGRAM
P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164-0882
Telephone: 651-201-3731
Email: [email protected]
Advisory Council Meeting Minutes
Hearing Instrument Dispenser
May 13, 2015
The Wellstone Center, Ecolab Fireside Room
179 Robie Street East, St. Paul, MN 55107
IN ATTENDANCE:
Present Members:
Richard Caruso
Sarah Kahley
P.J. Kiedrowski
Robert McLachlan
Dale Thorstad
MDH Staff Members:
Anne Kukowski
Grace Rauchwarter
Erin Smilanich
Cindy Xiong
Guests:
Cami Lawless
Absent Members:
None
AGENDA:
1. Convene and Introductions. Done by those in attendance.
2. Review and Approval of Minutes. Approved as written.
3. Additions/Adoptions of Agenda. The agenda was reviewed and approved with a change in the order of topics.
4. Staff Updates – Credentialing Report. Rauchwarter presented HID credentialing stats, as of May 5, 2015.
HID Trainees:
15
Non Audiologist:
206
Audiologist:
5
Total Certified:
211
Rauchwarter also presented the results of the February 27, 2015 HID Exam Report. She noted a typo on the
report. She will send an updated report to members by email.
All Candidates:
Audiologist* (6 Pass, 2 Fail)
Non-Audiologist (5 Pass, 4 Fail)
Totals: 11 Pass, 6 Fail
Retest Candidates:
Audiologist* (2 Pass, 0 Fail)
Non-Audiologist (4 Pass, 2 Fail)
Totals: 6 Pass, 2 Fail
New Candidates:
Audiologist (4 Pass, 2 Fail)
Non-Audiologist (1 Pass, 2 Fail)
Totals: 5 Pass, 4 Fail
*The term “audiologist” means persons who stated that they were in or had completed an audiology master’s or doctoral training program on their
exam application, and they are not authorized to practice audiology or to dispense hearing instruments until licensed.
To obtain this information in a different format, call 651-201-3731.
Printed on recycled paper.
www.health.state.mn.us
HID ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
5. Staff Updates – Investigations and Enforcements Reports. Kukowski presented HID investigation and
enforcement reports through 3rd quarter of Fiscal Year 2015.
Intake:
46
Investigations:
Opened: 6
Closed: 8
Enforcements:
Opened: 2
Closed: 7
Pending:
Investigations: 17
Enforcements: 1
6. Old Business – Update onGoHear. Last year, Thorstad noted that doctors’ offices were offering a joint
procedure for automated hearing screening and testing. Kukowski referred the information to the Food and
Drug Administration in October of 2014. At the recommendation of the Minnesota FDA office, Kukowski
filed a Freedom of Information Act request in April of 2015. Kukowski will report on the response at next
meeting.
7. Old Business – On-Line Hearing Aid Sales. The consumer messaging document has been made more
accessible to readers and the revised version placed on the web. Council members agreed the revised
document is easier to read and understand for the average consumer. A council member suggested adding
“appropriate hearing aid for loss” instead of “hearing instrument.” MDH will make and post this change.
8. Old Business – Legal Definition of Hearing Instruments. Council members are concerned about the
proliferation of personal sound amplification products (PSAP) advertised in publications and sold to
consumers in Minnesota. These sales may be in violation of state and/or federal law. Kukowski supplied
comparable information about current state and federal laws about hearing instruments. There are small
differences between state and federal law. Minnesota law defines a hearing aid or instrument as an
instrument designed or represented to aid or enhance human hearing. Federal law defines a hearing aid as
a devise designed for, offered for, or represented as aiding persons with impaired hearing. Thus,
Minnesota’s definition is broader than the federal definition. Some activities may violate Minnesota law, but
not federal law. MDH’s ability to effectively stop out-of-state entities from advertising and selling to
Minnesotans is limited. Council members inquired if MDH could send cease and desist letter to companies
selling PSAPs to people in Minnesota. Kukowski will check with MDH legal this and report back.
9. New Business - HID Exam Report. Smilanich presented on how MDH’s HID exams are proctored. Smilanich
researched how to make HID testing more efficient and cost effective and presented the results of her
research.
10. New Business - Report of HID Trainees. Council member inquired how many trainees we have. On March
31, we had 16 trainees. While the number of trainees is up, HID numbers aren’t climbing because of the
rate at which certified dispensers are retiring.
11. New Business - Proposed Legislation for 2016. The Health Occupations Program will be recommending
several statutory changes for consideration during the 2016 legislative session. Minnesota Statutes,
§153A.14, Subd. 2h (b) states that the Commissioner will administer the certification exam. Written exams,
except for the component on Minnesota laws, are now administered by IHS, which owns the written exam.
We will recommend a change to this language. §153A.14, Subd. 2d states that the Commissioner will mail
renewal notices. Renewal, including notification, is now electronic, though we mail applications upon
request. We will recommend that this language to be modified to note electronic mailing of renewal
notices. §153A.14, Subd. 2h(c) prohibits taking any part of the exam more than three times in a two year
period. Since IHS implemented their new written exam, more people have been failing the written exam.
Kukowski asked council members if they want to consider a change to this requirement. Kahley suggested
HID ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
that the wait should be 6 months after failing 3 times and that they examinee complete additional learning.
Other council members disagreed. No decision was made regarding proposed legislation.
Kukowski inquired whether applicants should be required to find sponsors to help them to train. This might
help with the overall rate of exam failure. Members suggested that parts of exam are not relevant to
trainee’s job. Kukowski will ask for national results on test.
Per §153A.14, Subd. 4e, the trainee period expires two months following notice that an examinee has
passed all portions of the exam. Kukowski inquired whether council members would like to extend the time
frame.
Council members inquired how many people don’t make the deadline. Kukowski informed them that
relatively few people fail to make this deadline, but there are a few. Council members declined to suggest a
change to the deadline, but suggested making expiration date larger and easier to read and understand.
“Trainee status expires 1 year after the effective date … or 2 months after passing both the written and the
practical HID exams…whichever comes first.” Kukowski indicated that we could update the trainee
application in an effort to clarify when trainee status expires.
Kukowski also noted that the Health Occupations Program would like to request to be allowed to serve
notice by certified mail on dispensers under investigation.
12. New Topic - Future of HID Careers and Dispensing. The guest noted concerns about the future of the
Hearing Instrument Dispenser profession. She indicated that some insurance companies, as well as certain
large insurers will no longer enter into new contracts with HIDs. She suggested this might be a topic for
legislation.
13. Adjourn – Meeting adjourned.
Next Meeting:
Wednesday, August 12, 2015