Why are Audiology Standards Necessary?
Currently, there are no universal practice standards in audiology. This has the potential to leave the profession and its practitioners vulnerable to outside threats such as infringement on scope of practice, devaluing our services in the diagnostic and treatment process, legal action and low monetary reimbursement.
APSO was created to develop, maintain and promote national standards of audiology practice that are based on current scientific evidence, reflect best practices in the profession, and are universally adopted by practitioners.
Adapted for audiology, practice standards are defined as:
“A set of guidelines for providing high-quality audiology care and criteria for evaluating care. Such guidelines help assure patients that they are receiving high-quality care. The standards are important if a legal dispute arises over the quality of care provided a patient.
Current Standards
APSO standards are developed by leading audiologists in the field, with review and comment open to all audiologists. The following standards have been approved for publication and are freely available. These may be downloaded and shared as long as the content is not altered and appropriate credit is provided for APSO.
These standards provide for the other healthcare professionals, the public, and policy-makers what can and should be expected of all audiologists.
S2.1 Hearing Aid Fitting for Adult & Geriatric Patients
This standard includes procedures relating to candidacy, selection, fitting, verification, and follow-up of adult patients who receive hearing instruments from audiologists.
S2.2 Hearing Aid Fitting for Pediatric Patients
This standard includes procedures related to candidacy, selection, fitting, verification, and follow-up of pediatric patients who receive hearing instruments from audiologists.
S3.1 Comprehensive Diagnostic Hearing Evaluation
S3.1 Comprehensive Diagnostic Hearing Evaluation for Adult Patients
A standard for the tasks and processes audiologists use to diagnose hearing changes in adults.
Standards in Progress
APSO is currently working with subject matter experts across the profession on the following standards. Be sure to check back periodically or join our email list for announcements about proposed standards open for comment.
S1.1 General Audiology Intake Standards
(Under Professional Review)
This standard addresses processes that should be used and information that should be gathered during the intake process. From a new patient’s fires contact to performing the initial examination, the intake standard ensures that audiologists are following…(need more info)
S3.2 Diagnostic Hearing Evaluation for Pediatric Patients
(Under Professional Review)
A standard for the tasks and processes audiologists use to diagnose hearing changes in children.
S4.1 Cerumen Management (Final Draft)
This standard describes the process used by audiologists for the management and removal of cerumen.
S5.1 Tinnitus Management (Initial Draft)
A standard for the audiological management of patients with tinnitus.
Proposed Standards
The following standard is in the initial development stage. Please let us know if you would like to join the APSO working group:
S4.2 Infection Control in Audiology Clinics
This standard provides common practices for infection control in audiology practices across settings.