(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028)

409 words·~2 min read·/il/chapter-225/act-50/1-31

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Sec. 4.5. Hearing aids dispensed by prescription to persons age 17 or younger.

(a)A hearing instrument professional may dispense a hearing aid to a person age 17 or younger in accordance with the requirements of this Section.

(b)A hearing instrument professional shall not sell a prescription hearing aid to anyone age 17 or younger unless the prospective user has presented to the hearing instrument professional a written statement, signed by a licensed physician, that states that the patient's hearing loss has been medically evaluated and the patient is considered a candidate for a hearing aid. The medical evaluation must have been performed within the 6 months immediately preceding the date of the sale of the hearing aid to the prospective hearing aid user.

(c)A person age 17 or younger must be medically evaluated in person by a physician before receiving a prescription for a hearing aid. The evaluation must have been performed within the 6 months immediately preceding the date that the hearing aid is dispensed.

(d)Following a medical evaluation by a licensed physician, a licensed audiologist or a licensed physician other than the evaluating physician may prescribe a prescription hearing aid for an individual age 17 or younger. A person age 17 or younger may not waive the medical evaluation or receipt of a prescription from a licensed audiologist or a licensed physician unless the person is replacing a lost or stolen hearing aid that is subject to warranty replacement.

(e)A hearing aid prescription for individuals age 17 or younger issued by a licensed audiologist or a licensed physician other than the evaluating physician must include, at a minimum, the following information:

(1)name of the patient;

(2)documentation of medical evaluation by a physician;

(3)date the prescription is issued;

(4)expiration date of the prescription, which may not exceed 6 months from the date of

issuance;

(5)name and license number of the prescribing licensed audiologist or licensed

physician;

(6)results of the following assessments:

(i)age-appropriate pure-tone air conduction

audiometry or results of auditory evoked potential testing, including, but not limited to, auditory brainstem response or otoacoustic emissions testing;

(ii)bone conduction testing, as age appropriate; and

(iii)recorded or live voice speech in quiet, as age appropriate;

(7)documentation of type and style of hearing aid; and

(8)documentation of medical necessity of the recommended features of a hearing aid.