I would like to express my support for Virginia audiologists holding a single license to provide a comprehensive array of professional services related to the prevention, audiologic identification, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of individuals with impairment of auditory and vestibular function.The audiology license in the state of Virginia should regulate the entire scope of practice for audiologists, including the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments, thus negating the need for this second license.

Virginia is one of the last 14 states in the country that requires this outdated requirement for audiology professionals.  Audiologists receive extensive coursework and clinical training in order to appropriately manage patients with hearing loss, including the fitting of hearing instruments.

I hope that Virginia will recognize that the audiology license should include within its scope the treatment of individuals with hearing loss, including the fitting and dispensing of hearing instruments, and they will eliminate the need for a second license to fit hearing aids.