The Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board (Board) serves to protect the public by licensing and regulating speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and hearing aid dispensers who provide speech and hearing services to California consumers. The Board sets entry-level licensing standards, which includes examination requirements that measure the licensees’ professional knowledge and clinical abilities that are consistent with the current demands for services of each respective field of practice.
To ensure ongoing consumer protection, the Board enforces standards of professional conduct by investigating applicant backgrounds, investigating complaints against licensed practitioners and unlicensed providers, and taking disciplinary action whenever appropriate. The Board is charged with regulating Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensing; three separate and distinct professions with their own scopes of practice, entry-level requirements, and professional settings:
- Speech-language pathologists mainly provide services to individuals with speech, voice or language disorders and swallowing disorders or impairments.
- Audiologists provide services to individuals with hearing, balance (vestibular), and related communication disorders. Most audiologists are also licensed to dispense hearing aids and are called Dispensing Audiologists.
- Hearing Aid Dispensers provide services to individuals with impaired hearing which include hearing tests for the purposes of fitting, selection, and adaptation of hearing aids.
Mission: We protect the people of California by promoting standards and enforcing the laws and regulations that ensure the qualifications and competence of providers of speech-language pathology, audiology, and hearing aid dispensing services.
Vision: Every person in the state of California has access to communication, diagnosis, treatment and related services of the highest quality.
Values:
- Consumer protection
- Efficiency
- Integrity
- Professionalism
- Accountability
- Effectiveness
- Service
- Transparency
- Inclusion
Visit the Speech Language Pathology & Audiology & Hearing Aid Dispensers Board’s website at:
https://www.speechandhearing.ca.gov/
CONSUMER RESOURCES:
Consumer Facts: Hearing Loss And Hearing Aids For Adults
