Consumer Information

How Maryland Protects Your Health Care 

What is the Board of Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers and Speech-Language Pathologists?
What is an Audiologist?
What is a Hearing Aid Dispenser?
What is a Speech-Language Pathologist
Must audiologists, hearing aid dispensers and speech-language pathologists be licensed to practice in Maryland?
How does the Board help the consumer?  What information can the Board provide?
How Can I Find an Audiologist, Hearing Aid Dispenser or Speech-Language Pathologist?

What is the Board of Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers and Speech-Language Pathologists?

The Board of Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers and Speech-Language Pathologists regulates the practice of audiology, hearing aid dispensing and speech-language pathology to ensure that these services are provided by qualified practitioners. The Board is composed of 13 members:  3 audiologists, 3 Hearing Aid Dispensers, 3 Speech-Language Pathologists, 2 Otolaryngologists and 2 Consumer Members. It is the Board’s responsibility to:

• Credential and approve applicants for licensure.
• Renew licenses of qualified practitioners every two years
• Promulgate and adopt regulations governing these three professions.
• Administer examinations to candidates for Hearing Aid Dispenser licenses twice a year.
• Monitor a continuing education program.
• Investigate complaints against licensees concerning alleged violations of the law and conduct hearings concerning these violations.
• Discipline licensees found to be in violation of the law.

The Board serves the citizens of Maryland by ensuring that practitioners are qualified to assist persons with communication and hearing disorders within the scope of practice of their license.

What is an Audiologist?

An Audiologist is a health care professional who has a Master’s or Doctoral Degree in Audiology, has completed a period of post-graduate supervised practice and has passed the National Examination in Audiology.  Audiologists specialize in the prevention, identification and assessment of hearing and related disorders and provide treatment, rehabilitative services and counseling. Audiologists fit and dispense hearing aids and other assistive devices.

What is a Hearing Aid Dispenser?

A Hearing Aid Dispenser is a health care professional who has obtained at least six months of training under the supervision of a practicing hearing aid dispenser and has passed the Board’s written and practical examinations. Hearing Aid Dispensers perform hearing testing, make impressions of the ear for an ear mold, provide advice as to the choice or use of a hearing aid by a hearing impaired individual and fit and dispense hearing aids.

What is a Speech-Language Pathologist?

A Speech-Language Pathologist is a health care professional who has a Master’s or Doctoral Degree, has completed a period of post-graduate supervised training and has passed the National Examination in Speech-Language Pathology.  Speech-Language Pathologists specialize in the prevention, identification and evaluation of communication and swallowing disorders and provide treatment and rehabilitative services for speech, language, voice and swallowing disorders.

Must audiologists, hearing aid dispensers and speech-language pathologists be licensed to practice in Maryland?

Audiologists, hearing aid dispensers and speech-language pathologists must be licensed to practice in Maryland unless they are employees of the Federal Government.

How does the Board help the consumer?  What information can the Board provide?

You may contact the Board office to verify that an audiologist, hearing aid dispenser or speech-language pathologist holds a current, valid license to practice in Maryland and that no formal disciplinary action has been taken against the practitioner.  The Board can also tell you how long a practitioner has been licensed and when the practitioner’s current license expires.

You may also file a complaint with the Board concerning a practitioner.  If you wish to file a complaint, please review the information under the complaint section of the menu.

The Board regulates the professional practice of audiologists, hearing aid dispensers and speech-language pathologists.  However, the Board does not have jurisdiction over fee disputes, refunds or other economic issues where there does not appear to be a claim of fraud or misrepresentation. The Board may refer such complaints to the Consumer Protection Division (CPD) of the Attorney General’s Office.

How Can I Find an Audiologist, Hearing Aid Dispenser or Speech-Language Pathologist?

The Board can not recommend specific practitioners.  You may be able to obtain assistance through your local city or county Health Department. You can also click on the following association links to request a list of practitioners in your local area:

Maryland Relay 711

Maryland Relay - 711