Sec. 13a.05.12.03. Administration

A. Application. A parent or legal guardian of an eligible individual who has no immediate access to a hearing aid may submit a request for hearing aids, language and communication videos, or other resources on a form developed by the Department that includes:

(1) The individual’s residential address;

(2) A copy of the individual’s hearing evaluation from a licensed audiologist;

(3) A copy of the individual’s medical clearance for hearing aids from an otolaryngologist;

(4) A statement from the parent or legal guardian explaining why the family is experiencing delays in acquiring hearing aids or needs a loan of hearing aids; and

(5) The individual’s date of birth.

B. Loan Period. Except as provided in §C of this regulation, the Department may approve a loan of hearing aids for a period of not more than 1 year.

C. Loan Extension.

(1) On the request of a parent or legal guardian, the Department may extend a loan of hearing aids for an additional 1-year period.

(2) Prior to each extension period, the Department shall consider the following factors to determine whether to extend the loan:

(a) Insurance coverage or Medical Assistance eligibility;

(b) The circumstances that necessitated the loan of hearing aids;

(c) The parent or legal guardian’s plan to obtain access to another hearing aid; and

(d) The number of previous extensions granted to the individual.

D. Loaned Hearing Aid Accountability.

(1) A parent or legal guardian who borrows a hearing aid from the loan bank for an eligible individual shall:

(a) Be the custodian of the hearing aid;

(b) Return the hearing aid immediately to the Loan Bank on the expiration of the loan period or receipt of a suitable permanent hearing aid, whichever occurs first;

(c) Be responsible for the proper care and use of the hearing aid;

(d) Be responsible for any damage to or loss of the hearing aid; and

(e) Sign a written agreement provided by the State Superintendent that states the terms and conditions of the loan.

(2) If the parent or legal guardian of an eligible individual receives a hearing aid on loan from the Loan Bank, the Department shall ensure that the eligible individual’s otolaryngologist or licensed audiologist instructs the parent or legal guardian about the proper care and use of a hearing aid provided under the program.

E. Language and Communication Videos. A parent or legal guardian of an eligible individual may download from a Department website language and communication videos and resources that offer:

(1) Information about language and communication options to use with their deaf or hard of hearing child; and

(2) Resources to teach them the language or other means of communication that they choose to use with their deaf or hard of hearing child.