Sec. 10.11.02.08. Procedures for Audiologists and Licensed Professionals Conducting Audiological Screening or Evaluations

A. An audiologist or a licensed professional who performs a hearing screening or audiological diagnostic evaluation on a child younger than 5 years old due to the presence of a risk factor as listed in Regulation .04 of this chapter or in follow-up to the birth hearing screening of a newborn or infant who did not receive or did not pass the birth hearing screening shall:

(1) Within 2 business days:

(a) Report the results of the screening or audiological diagnostic evaluation to the Program in the Department database;

(b) Document recommendations and referrals provided in the Department database; and

(c) Confirm or update the demographic information of the child or infant in the Department database; and

(2) Within 7 business days, notify the appropriate early intervention program at the Maryland State Department of Education of any child younger than 5 years old confirmed to have or strongly suspected of having a permanent hearing status of any type or degree as described in §B of this regulation which is sufficient to interfere with the acquisition and development of speech-language skills with or without the use of sound amplification.

B. A child younger than 5 years old is strongly suspected of having a permanent hearing status if evidence or clinical judgment exists which indicates that there is a high probability of a permanent hearing status of any type or degree which is sufficient to interfere with the acquisition and development of speech-language skills.