HEARING INSTRUMENTS-PROTECTION

Amends the Hearing Instrument Consumer Protection Act. Replaces the term "hearing-impaired" with "deaf or hard of hearing" throughout the Act. Provides that a business organization, before dispensing a hearing instrument, shall inform the prospective user of the hearing instrument that an earmold impression taken by a licensed hearing instrument dispenser or licensed audiologist (rather than an earmold impression taken only by a licensed hearing instrument dispenser) is needed for proper fitting. Adds certification by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences and has been actively practicing for a minimum of 5 years to the list of criteria for license reciprocity. Makes changes to the application qualifications under the Act; provides that an applicant shall hold an associate's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution of higher education that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or meets the U.S. Department of Education equivalency as determined through a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services member, and that the applicant is required to obtain a license within 12 months after passing either the written or practical examination, whichever is passed first (rather than both). Provides that a trainee license expires 12 months from the date of issue (rather than 6 months from the date of issue).