GET TO KNOW YOUR BOARD
A MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD: Welcome to our website! We are so glad you are interested in learning about the work of the Alabama Hearing Instrument Dealers Board. The Hearing Instrument Dealers Board exists to protect the rights of those citizens through the effective administration the Code of Alabama Chapter 34 Title 14 and the Administrative Code 445-X-1. We typically meet three times each calendar year: Winter, Spring and Fall. Our Board meetings are open to the public and we encourage and welcome visitors, especially the BCHIS Dispensers, Hearing Aid Specialists and Apprentices who comprise our profession in this state. The dates and location of our Board Meetings are published on the Secretary of State's website as well as here on this site. The Board members are appointed to their positions by the Governor of this state and serve a term of four years...no more that two terms consecutively. Our duties include administration, coordination, and enforcement of this chapter. The Board also evaluates the qualifications and supervises the examinations of applicants for licensure under this chapter. Additionally, issuing and renewing licenses and permits under this chapter, as well as investigating any allegations of violations of this chapter. Each of your HIDB Board members is committed to seeing our profession rise to the highest possible standard of best practices and lead the way for other state agencies and organizations to do the same. Whether you are just beginning the inquiries into this professional licensure, have been a practicing professional for many years or are a citizen-consumer seeking information regarding the practice of Hearing Aid professionals in this state, please feel free to contact the Board office if you are unable to get your questions answered as you search us out. Once again, you are always welcome here and we thank you for visiting our site. ~ 2021
Todd Wright, BC-HIS
Board Chairman
Todd Wright, BC-HIS
Board Chairman
Consumer Quick Reference Info:
LEVELS OF STATE LICENSURE
Anyone dispensing/selling hearing aids to consumers in the State of Alabama must hold a valid AL HIDB Permit or License with an affixed current seal in one of the following areas:
HEARING AID APPRENTICE (Apprentice)
(Holds an AL State Apprentice Permit under Sponsorship and Supervision of an AL NBC-HIS Dispenser)
A person who has passed the IHS Distance Learning Course, and can train and dispense under the direct, on-site supervision by an assigned Licensed Hearing Aid Dispenser and/or Specialist. An Apprentice MAY NOT perform: Hearing Tests, Hearing Screenings,Hearing Aid Fittings, Tympanometry, Real Ear Measurements or any form of Dispensing to include Selling without the direct and immediate presence of their Supervising Dispenser or Specialist
LICENSED HEARING AID SPECIALIST (LHAS)
(Holds an AL State Specialist License under Sponsorship of an AL NBC-HIS Dispenser)
A person who has met the Apprentice requirements as well as having passed the AL State Practical Exam, AL State Laws & Rules Exam and IHS Alabama Written Exam. A licensed Hearing Aid Specialist may operate independently to own and/or operate a hearing aid dispensing office as long as they have a sponsoring Alabama BC-HIS Dispenser.
AL NBC-HIS DISPENSER (LHAS, BC-HIS)
(Nationally Board Certified in Hearing Instrument Sciences - NBC-HIS and AL State Licensed and/or Audiologist)
A person who has passed the National Board for Certification Written exam and has earned the title (BCHIS) Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist as well as having passed the AL Practical and State Laws exams. Or, any Audiologist who has Applied for AL HIDB Licensure. (Out-of-State Reciprocity dependent upon having passed the NBC-HIS exam within the previous 12 months.)
CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS
Todd Wright, BC-HIS, Chairman
Thomas Hames, Board Member
(Open)
Logan Russo, BC-HIS Board Member
Christopher Hicks, BC-HIS, Vice Chair
(Open), Audiologist
(Open), ENT
William Meyer, Consumer
Sandra Bice, Board Executive Secretary
*Board Member List is provided to provide transparency and for information purposes only. Any and all business, complaints, payments, etc. MUST go through the Office of the Board Executive Secretary. Board Members are not permitted to individually handle Board business unless specifically assigned and voted upon by the Board at a regularly scheduled Board Meeting. PLEASE REFER TO THE "CONTACT / COMPLAINT" TAB ON THE LEFT TO REACH THE BOARD OFFICE.
Todd Wright, BC-HIS, Chairman
Thomas Hames, Board Member
(Open)
Logan Russo, BC-HIS Board Member
Christopher Hicks, BC-HIS, Vice Chair
(Open), Audiologist
(Open), ENT
William Meyer, Consumer
Sandra Bice, Board Executive Secretary
*Board Member List is provided to provide transparency and for information purposes only. Any and all business, complaints, payments, etc. MUST go through the Office of the Board Executive Secretary. Board Members are not permitted to individually handle Board business unless specifically assigned and voted upon by the Board at a regularly scheduled Board Meeting. PLEASE REFER TO THE "CONTACT / COMPLAINT" TAB ON THE LEFT TO REACH THE BOARD OFFICE.
How Do You Become a Member of the HIDB Board ?
A list of potential board members are submitted to the HIDB Executive Secretary directly from the Alabama Society for Hearing Healthcare Providers (ASHHP). The Society initiates a nomination process anytime a HIDB member position is to become vacant due to term limit or other circumstances. Nominees are submitted by the active membership and voted on to be sent to the Executive Secretary. The HIDB Executive Secretary verifies each potential members' current licensure with the state and then submits the verified list to the Governor's Office who then appoints new HIDB members. HIDB members serve a four year term and can be reappointed for an additional term by the Governor as deemed necessary for the operation of the board.
A list of potential board members are submitted to the HIDB Executive Secretary directly from the Alabama Society for Hearing Healthcare Providers (ASHHP). The Society initiates a nomination process anytime a HIDB member position is to become vacant due to term limit or other circumstances. Nominees are submitted by the active membership and voted on to be sent to the Executive Secretary. The HIDB Executive Secretary verifies each potential members' current licensure with the state and then submits the verified list to the Governor's Office who then appoints new HIDB members. HIDB members serve a four year term and can be reappointed for an additional term by the Governor as deemed necessary for the operation of the board.