Health Occupations – Practice of Audiology – Definition
Summary
SB 919 revises Maryland’s Health Occupations law to expand and clarify the statutory definition of the “practice of audiology.” The bill specifies that audiology includes evaluating, diagnosing, managing, and treating auditory or vestibular conditions, as well as certain services involving hearing aids, osseo-integrated devices, and cochlear implants. It also clarifies that audiologists may conduct health screenings related to auditory or vestibular conditions and may remove non-impacted foreign bodies or cerumen from the external auditory canal.
The bill further adds that the practice of audiology includes ordering cultures and bloodwork related to auditory or vestibular conditions, and ordering and performing in-office, nonradiographic scanning or imaging of the external auditory canal, as well as ordering radiographic imaging related to those conditions. At the same time, it expressly excludes surgery, device surgery, and the preparation, operation, or performance of radiographic imaging from the scope of audiology practice.
Impact
SB 919 amends Section 2-101 of the Health Occupations Article, which governs the definition of audiology practice in Maryland. The practical effect is to broaden and clarify what licensed audiologists may do in clinical settings, particularly with respect to screenings, minor ear-canal procedures, and ordering certain diagnostic tests and imaging tied to auditory or vestibular conditions. It also preserves clear boundaries by excluding surgical procedures and radiographic imaging performance from the scope of practice.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the available record. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to be a technical scope-of-practice clarification intended to modernize audiology practice rather than a controversial policy change. The absence of recorded opposition suggests the bill may have been viewed as a professional practice update, though that cannot be confirmed from the available materials.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is scope of practice: whether audiologists should be authorized to order and perform certain imaging, order labs, and conduct minor procedures that may overlap with activities traditionally associated with physicians, otolaryngologists, or other medical professionals. The bill attempts to limit that concern by excluding surgery and radiographic imaging performance, but the expansion of diagnostic authority could still raise questions among other health care providers about professional boundaries, patient safety, and referral practices.