STATE OF WISCONSIN
HEARING AND SPEECH EXAMINING BOARD
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IN THE MATTER OF RULEMAKING : PROPOSED ORDER OF THE
PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE : HEARING AND SPEECH
HEARING AND SPEECH : EXAMINING BOARD
EXAMINING BOARD : ADOPTING RULES
: (CLEARINGHOUSE RULE )
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PROPOSED ORDER
An order of the Hearing and Speech Examining Board to amend HAS 1.005, 1.01 (intro.), and 5.02 (2) (a); to create HAS 1.01 (1m) and (5h), 5.02 (2) (j), and chapter HAS 9; and to renumber HAS 1.01 (5m), relating to cerumen management.
Analysis prepared by the Department of Safety and Professional Services.
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ANALYSIS
Statutes interpreted: Section 459.115, Stats. Explanation of agency authority:
Section 15.08 (5) (b), Stats.: “Each examining board shall promulgate rules for its own guidance and for the guidance of the trade or profession to which it pertains, and define and enforce professional conduct and unethical practices not inconsistent with the law relating to the particular trade or profession.” Section 459.12 (1), Stats.: “The examining board may make rules not inconsistent with the laws of this state which are necessary to carry out the intent of this chapter.” Section 459.115 (4), Stats: “The examining board shall promulgate rules necessary to administer this section, including rules for all of the following: a(a) Defining the scope of cerumen management. b(b) Establishing contraindications for which a person licensed under this subchapter shall refer a patient to an otolaryngologist or a physician for cerumen management. c(c) Establishing proper infection control practices.”
Plain language analysis:
The objective of the rule is to implement 2023 Wisconsin Act 82 by creating a new chapter of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, HAS 9, to outline requirements for Cerumen Management Certification for Hearing Instrument Specialists. Definitions for “cerumen management” and “significant pain” were also added to chapter HAS 1, and chapter HAS 5 was updated to include unprofessional conduct for an individual certified to practice cerumen management. _Hlk4407927Summary of, and comparison with, existing or proposed federal regulation: None. Comparison with rules in adjacent states:
Illinois: In the Illinois Compiled Statutes Chapter 225, the Hearing Instrument Consumer Protection Act outlines the requirements for licensure, continuing education, renewal, and discipline of Hearing Instrument Dispensers or Professionals. The practice of a Hearing Instrument Dispenser in Illinois includes the selling, practice of testing, fitting, selecting, recommending, adapting, dispensing, or servicing hearing aids. The practice of a Hearing Instrument Dispenser in Illinois does not include cerumen management [225 Illinois Compiled Statutes 50]. Iowa: Chapter 154A of the Iowa Code outlines the requirements for the licensure of Hearing Aid Specialists. Hearing Aid Specialists may perform hearing aid fitting which includes the sale of hearing aids and making earmold impressions as part of the fitting process [Iowa Code Chapter 154A]. Chapters 121 through 124 further elaborate on the requirements for the practice of Hearing Aid Specialists including licensure, supervision, continuing education, and dispensing of hearing aids. If a Hearing Aid Specialist observes cerumen impaction in a patient prior to fitting a hearing aid, they are required to suggest to the patient in writing that they consult a physician, preferably one with a specialization in diseases of the ear[Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 123 Section 123.2 (3) (f)]. _Hlk179215774Michigan: The Michigan Compiled Laws, Chapter 339, Act 299 includes requirements for licensure and regulation of Hearing Aid Dealers and Salespersons, as well as the Board of hearing aid dealers. In Michigan, licensed Hearing Aid Dealers perform the practice of selling or fitting a hearing aid, which includes audiometric testing and making ear mold impressions. Michigan does not appear to address Cerumen Management by Hearing Aid Dealers in their laws [Michigan Compiled Laws 333.1301 to 1309]. _Hlk179215653Minnesota: The Minnesota Statutes chapter 148 includes requirements for audiology, as well as the practice of hearing aid dispensing. The practice of hearing aid dispensing includes making ear mold impressions, prescribing a hearing aid, testing human hearing and helping a customer select a prescription hearing aid. In Minnesota, prescription hearing aids may be dispensed by Audiologists or Certified Hearing Dispensers. Minnesota does not appear to address Cerumen Management by Certified Hearing Dispensers in their laws [Minnesota Statutes ss.148.511 to 148.5198].
Summary of factual data and analytical methodologies:
_Hlk77162333While promulgating this rule, the Board reviewed recommendations from the Wisconsin Audiology Association, a “Clinical Practice Guideline (Update) on Earwax (Cerumen Impaction) Executive Summary” from the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation published in 2017, language on cerumen management from Tennessee regulations, and the definition of “pain” from the International Association for the Study of Pain, among other resources. Analysis and supporting documents used to determine effect on small business or in preparation of economic impact analysis:
The proposed rules was posted for a period of 14 days to solicit public comment on economic impact, including how the proposed rules may affect businesses, local government units, and individuals. No comments were received.
Effect on small business:
These proposed rules do not have an economic impact on small businesses, as defined in s. 227.114 (1), Stats. The Department’s Regulatory Review Coordinator may be contacted by email at Jennifer.Garrett@wisconsin.gov or phone at 608-266-2112. Agency contact person:
Nilajah Hardin, Administrative Rules Coordinator, Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Policy Development, P.O. Box 8366, Madison, Wisconsin 53708-8306; email at DSPSAdminRules@wisconsin.gov. Place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission:
Comments may be submitted to Nilajah Hardin, Administrative Rules Coordinator, Department of Safety and Professional Services, Division of Policy Development, 4822 Madison Yards Way, P.O. Box 8366, Madison, WI 53708-8366, or by email to DSPSAdminRules@wisconsin.gov. Comments must be received on or before the public hearing, held on July 23, 2025, to be included in the record of rule-making proceedings. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 1. HAS 1.005 is amended to read:
