Licensed audiologists in Tennessee are no longer required to hold licensure as a hearing instrument dispenser.  Doctors of audiology are the only hearing care specialists who receive significant amounts of study and practicum specific to the art and science of hearing aid dispensing as a component to      (re)habilitation of hearing loss in their academic preparation.  Indeed, hearing instrument dispensers and physicians have little or no requirements for formal academic training in hearing aids from an accredited university in order to qualify for state licensure.

In reality, hearing aid dispensing is part of the scope of practice of Audiology.  I encourage the State of Virginia to allow audiologists to fully practice their profession without the burden of dual licensure.

Reed Norwood, AuD