This week, the Academy submitted a letter of support for North Carolina House Bill 926 (HB 926), legislation that makes meaningful updates to the state’s hearing health-care laws. These changes reflect concerns within the profession and take important steps to reduce overly burdensome administrative and regulatory hurdles affecting the audiology profession and increase transparency for patients purchasing hearing aids.
Key Provisions of HB 926
This legislation aims to eliminate dual licensure requirements for audiologists with master’s degrees—highly experienced professionals who entered the field before doctoral-level training became the national standard. HB 926 also removes conflicting references to audiology assistants, who are already regulated under existing licensure law and operate solely under the supervision of licensed audiologists. These revisions streamline oversight and ensure the state’s statutes reflect current clinical practice.
In addition, the bill addresses the growing issue of “locked” hearing aids by requiring clear, written disclosure when a patient is purchasing a device that can only be adjusted by the original seller. This provision supports patient choice and ensures consumers understand the limitations of their hearing aid at the time of sale.
Academy Support
The Academy is proud to support this legislation in partnership with the North Carolina Audiology Association. We will continue to work alongside state leaders to advocate for policies that strengthen the profession and protect patients.
Recent Posts
CMS Warns of Fraud Scheme
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is warning providers to be on alert for phishing requests to provide Medicare patient information. CMS has…
Nevada Passes Bill to Join ASLP-IC as Legislative Session Closes
On the final day of the Nevada Legislative Session, lawmakers passed Assembly Bill (AB) 230, which was then sent to Governor Joe Lombardo for signature….
MedPAC Report Highlights Key Medicare Policy Shifts Impacting Hearing Health
On June 12, 2025, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) delivered its annual June report to Congress, offering critical policy guidance on Medicare payment systems, delivery…