Board of Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers
& Speech-Language Pathologists
Welcome
Welcome to the Maryland State Board of Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers and Speech-Language Pathologists web site. The sections listed on the menu provide information on items of interest to consumers, applicants and licensees. After you have reviewed these sections, if you have not found the answers you need, please contact the Board by phone, fax or e-mail.
Meetings of the Board are held at 4:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at DHMH on Patterson Avenue. Please note that the Board does not meet in the months of August or December. All interested parties are welcome to attend the meeting. Please contact the Board office for meeting room and directions.
Board's Mission
The mission of the Board is to enhance the quality of the hearing and speech health care provided to the citizens of Maryland by ensuring qualified and competent audiologists, hearing aid dispensers and speech-language pathologists are licensed to practice in the State of Maryland.
Important Information
May Is Better Hearing and Speech Month
In recognition of Better Hearing and Speech Month it is
encouraged that you increase your awareness of your hearing and speech health.
Now is a good time to analyze your own hearing and determine
if you are one of the estimated 28 million Americans who have a hearing loss
that can be treated. Even if you don't currently
feel you have a hearing problem, it's important to have your hearing tested to
establish a baseline for comparison at a future time should you experience a
problem.
Someone may have a hearing loss if they:
• frequently ask people to repeat themselves;
• often turn their ears toward a sound to hear it better;
• understand people better when they wear glasses;
• understand people better when they look directly at their
faces;
• lose place in group conversations;
• keep the volume on a radio or TV at a level that others say
is too loud; or
• have pain or ringing in the ears.
Speech and language disorders can take many forms and can
limit academic achievement, social adjustment, and career advancement. An
individual may be born with a speech or language disorder, or it may be caused
by accidental injury or illness.
Speech and language milestones can be reviewed here:
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/pages/speechandlanguage.aspx
Swallowing disorders can affect anyone, but is especially
problematic for the elderly. Many
speech-language pathologists have specialized training in swallowing disorders.
Please pass this information on to anyone who could benefit
from it.
CE Credit for Attending Open Sessions of Board Meetings
Effective with the Board's January 17, 2013 meeting full licensees in audiology, hearing aid dispensing and speech-language pathology may earn CE credit for attendance at open sessions of Board meetings. Attendees will be required to sign-in on a special attendance sheet to ensure CE credit is awarded. Board staff will verify individuals seeking CE credit for attendance. As a courtesy, it is requested that licensees planning on attending a Board meeting send an e-mail the Board's Executive Director at christopher.kelter@maryland.gov so that all necessary arrangements can be made. Anyone with questions may call the Board's Executive Director at 410-764-4723.
2013 Hearing Aid Dispenser Renewal - Online Renewal
The online renewal system is now closed for hearing aid dispenser renewals. Hearing aid dispensers with a non-renewed license who wish to reinstate their license must request a reinstatement form from the Board by calling 410-764-4723.
Requesting Verification Letters
For more information regarding requesting a verification letter to be sent to another licensing board or employer please click here.
Continuing Education Requirements for 2014 Renewal
The minimum continuing education (CE) requirement for the 2014 renewal has been amended to be a minimum of 30 CE hours. Speech-language pathologists must earn these hours between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013. Audiologists must earn these hours between June 1, 2012 and May 31, 2014.
Board Meeting Dates
The Board meets on the third Thursday of each month except August and December. Board meetings begin at 4:00pm at 4201 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215. Ocassionally, Board meetings are cancelled - please call the Board at 410-764-4725 to ensure that the meeting is being held. Whenever possible notice of a cancellation of a Board meeting will be posted to this homepage.
Upcoming Board meeting dates are:
June 20, 2013
July 18, 2013
September 19, 2013
Board Staff
Christopher J. Kelter, Executive Director
Richard Bloom, AAG, Board Counsel
Zoann C. Mouzone, Administrative Specialist
Yolanda B. Campbell, Office Secretary