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The Association of Hearing Instrument Practitioners of Ontario

Cerumen Removal Management Certification Policy

1.0 Scope of Practice & Terms of Reference 

The removal of cerumen from the external ear canal is within the scope of practice of Hearing  Instrument Specialists (H.I.S.) and Hearing Instrument Dispensers (H.I.D.) pursuant to AHIP’s Article III, Sections 3.1.1 and 3.1.2. The By-Laws provide that the H.I.S. and the H.I.D. whose  practice includes the removal of cerumen from the external ear canal must have  successfully completed the educational requirements as determined by AHIP for the  removal of cerumen from time to time.

The terms of reference for the Education Committee are set out in the By-Laws, Article IX, Section 9.1.2 Subsection (ii) which includes the following purpose: “To establish and maintain  policies, procedures and guidelines for continuing education requirements.”

2.0 Standards 

Members must complete a Cerumen Removal Management Certification Program accredited by  the AHIP Board of Directors which meets the required educational principles as outlined in  Appendix A to this policy.

The certification process outlined in this policy are the minimum acceptable level of standards with respect to cerumen removal training.

Members must practice within the limits of their competence as determined by their education,  training, and professional experience.

3.0 Eligibility  

Full H.I.D. or H.I.S. AHIP members in good standing are eligible to complete the Cerumen  Removal Management Certification Program as outlined in this policy.

The practice of cerumen removal is optional for both H.I.D. and H.I.S. members.

4.0 Qualifications of Monitor and Restrictions 

The clinical experience portion of the certification must be monitored by a qualified monitor who  meets the following requirements:

  • The monitor is a Hearing Instrument Specialist (H.I.S.) or a Hearing Instrument  Dispenser (H.I.D.) who is an AHIP member in good standing; and/or an Audiologist, who is a CASLPO member in good standing and must have a minimum of two (2)  consecutive years of experience.
  • A monitor can monitor no more than two (2) cerumen applicants at any given time.
  • In the case of a H.I.S. or H.I.D. monitor, has been certified in cerumen management for at  least two (2) years and has provided proof of AHIP approved certification.
  • In the case of an Audiologist monitor, must have practiced cerumen management for at  least two (2) years and follow the CASLPO Standards for Cerumen Management,  October 2018.1.

5.0 Process  

The AHIP Cerumen Removal Management Certification Program is a two-step process.

Step One 
The member completes and provides, to the AHIP office, proof of successful completion of the  Cerumen Management Training in the form of an online course provided by Pacific Audiology Group (https://pacificaudiologygroup.com/earwax-removal-training/) .

Step Two 
The member successfully completes a set of criteria and a specific amount of cerumen extractions  under the supervision of an eligible monitor.

Important Deadline – step two must be completed within one (1) year of the completion date  of the online course, or the applicant will need to complete step one again.  

6.0 Procedures  

  1. Once the AHIP office receives proof from a member of successful completion of the Pacific Audiology Group on-line course, the member will be sent the AHIP Cerumen  Removal Certificate Program Application.
    The application must be fully completed by both the applicant and the monitor, and sent to the AHIP office via mail, fax, or e-mail.
  2. Upon verification by the AHIP office that the applicant is a Full H.I.D. or H.I.S. member  of AHIP and that the qualifications of the monitor comply with section 4.0 of this policy,  the applicant and the monitor will be sent a letter outlining acceptance. Attached to the  applicant’s acceptance letter will be the Criteria and Extractions Log Form.
  3. Upon the members’ successful completion of the listed criteria and required extractions,  the monitor and applicant will sign and date the Criteria and Extractions Log Form and send the original to the AHIP office via mail or courier.
  4. The Chair of Education will contact the monitor and interview them in relation to the criteria, extractions performed and the competency of the applicant. The Chair may utilize a series of questions to the monitor and/or member to assist in the assessment.
  5. When successful verification is determined, the Chair of Education will sign and date the  Criteria and Extractions Log Form as complete and send to the AHIP office.
  6. Upon receipt of this verification from the Chair, the AHIP office will produce the AHIP Cerumen Removal Management Certificate of completion. The certificate(s) will be  signed and dated by the President and Chair of Education, then sent to the applicant/member for display and insurance purposes.

7.0 Insurance  

AHIP members who perform cerumen removal must obtain Professional Liability Insurance  covering cerumen removal. To obtain this additional coverage, members must provide a copy of  their AHIP certificate as proof of successful completion of this AHIP approved program.

 

1. College of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists of Ontario, “Practice Standards for Cerumen Management,” October 2018 

Association of Hearing Instrument Practitioners of Ontario

Continuing Education Units Policy

OVERVIEW 

In order to maintain membership in the Association, a minimum of 12 hours of approved continuing education units (CEUs) must be obtained per calendar year. The member is  required to submit to the Association evidence of obtaining approved CEUs. The Board  of Directors may approve exceptions in cases of illness or other incapacity. 

1.0 No more than six (6) of the twelve (12) CEUs may be obtained from any  one manufacturer of hearing aids. 

2.0 It is the responsibility of the individual member to notify and present  proof to the Association that the minimum CEUs has been obtained for  that year. 

3.0 To obtain approval, all providers of continuing education hours must  submit a completed CEU Application Form, 30 days in advance of the  training session to the Chair of Continuing Education (via the AHIP Office). Closed Sessions as defined in 4.0 will be considered for up to  two (2) hours of the twelve (12) CEUs. The Board of Directors may approve a specified number of hours upon recommendation of the Chair of Continuing Education. The Board holds the unconditional right to approve or deny any submissions. 

4.0 Closed Sessions are defined as sales representatives’ visits or in-office  training as well as company only sessions.  

5.0 Members attending training seminars need not request prior approval if  the provider has already requested and obtained that approval. 

6.0 If a member wishes to attend a training course that has not had prior  approval by the Association, the member must submit his/her request to  the Chair of Continuing Education (via the AHIP office) 30 days in advance of the training session. This submission must be done in writing  and include the name, address, telephone number and website (if available) of the provider, course syllabus, identify the number of hours  requested and the dates. If the member does not submit for approval before the event occurs the hours will not be considered for CEU approval. 

7.0 Members attending Association approved seminars within the 30 days  moratorium period before the AHIP Symposium will be credited with  the approved CEU hours only if they attend the Symposium. Otherwise,  there will be no accreditation during the moratorium period. 

8.0 Members in attendance of a “full membership” meeting such as the  AHIP Annual General Meeting, Semi-Annual or Special Meeting will be  allowed to obtain a maximum 2 hours of CEUs regarding each such meeting.  

9.0 A member attending the same seminar twice will be awarded CEU  hours for only one seminar. 

10.0 A maximum of 2 CEU hours regarding H.I.S. student mentoring per  calendar year (regardless of number of students) may be obtained by any  AHIP member who takes one or more clinical placement student. A completed CEU Mentoring Student Application must be submitted by  the Member. 

11.0 Faculty members of any of the recognized Colleges are allowed to  obtain a maximum of 2 CEU hours per calendar year for teaching. A completed CEUs Teaching Application must be submitted by the Member. 

12.0 Audiology OnLine, AHIP approved seminars, will be accepted upon  successful completion & submission of certificate to AHIP.  

13.0 Any member who has not completed the educational requirements as  determined by the Education Committee and approved by the Board of  Directors will have his or her membership automatically suspended on  February 1st. 

Association of Hearing Instrument Practitioners of Ontario

Hearing Instrument Specialist (H.I.S.) Internship Program

1.0 OVERVIEW 

The requirement of Internship for Hearing Instrument Specialists is outlined in the  Association’s By-Laws, Article III, Section 3.1.1, Hearing Instrument  Specialist (H.I.S.): “Those who have met the educational requirements leading to  a provincial certificate or diploma in the field of audiometric evaluation and  hearing instrument provision and have successfully completed the International  Licensing Examination (ILE) effective July 1, 2007 and who abide by the Code of  Professional Conduct. The applicant must furnish a copy of their certificate or  diploma. The applicant shall have successfully completed one thousand hours  (1,000) of Internship as established in policy and governed by the Association.  The Hearing Instrument Specialist H.I.S. shall be certified in the practice of  testing hearing, selection, fitting, counseling and dispensing of hearing  instruments and associated devices, and the removal of cerumen from the external  ear canal where a member’s practice includes it. Hearing Instrument Specialists  whose practice includes the removal of cerumen from the external ear canal shall  have successfully completed the educational requirements of AHIP for the  removal of cerumen from time to time. Those who have met the previous  educational requirements established by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long  Term Care, Assistive Devices Program will also be eligible for certification.”

2.0 POLICY 

Upon successful completion of a Hearing Instrument Specialist (H.I.S.) Program,  the member must obtain and successfully complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of  supervised, clinical experience. These hours must be obtained within 36 months  of successful completion of an AHIP recognized educational certificate or  diploma from: George Brown College, Conestoga College, Grant MacEwan  University, Douglas College, Rosemont College or Cegep de La Pocatiere.

3.0 CRITERIA 

This clinical experience must be monitored by a Hearing Instrument Specialist  (H.I.S.) who is an AHIP member in good standing; and/or an Audiologist, Reg.  CASLPO member in good standing. The above noted Monitors must also have a  minimum of two years experience as a Hearing Instrument Specialist or an  Audiologist.

The monitored hours must involve:

  • Testing Protocol as outlined in section 1.0 of the AHIP Standards of Practice  Policy. The results of each hearing evaluation will be recorded upon and  audiogram form which must be signed and dated by the Monitor.
  • Clinical experience with the Hard of Hearing representing a wide range of  problems, case management and follow-up care.
  • Selection and Fitting of Hearing Aids as outlined in Section 2.0 of the AHIP Standards of Practice Policy.
  • Understanding the H.I.S. Scope of Practice and restrictive activities as  outlined in sections 3.0 and 4.0 of the AHIP Standards of Practice Policy.
  • Following Clinical Placement and Continuing Competency requirements as  outlined in sections 5.0 and 6.0 of the AHIP Standards of Practice Policy.
  • Compliance with the AHIP Infection Control Policy.

4.0 OUT OF PROVINCE REQUIREMENTS 

Enrolment in the H.I.S. Internship program is accepted pending full membership  with AHIP and proof that Monitor(s) are either qualified Hearing Instrument  Specialists or Audiologists under the requirements of the prospective province and comply with Section 3.0 (Criteria) of this policy. All Internship criteria and  processes as outlined in this policy will apply.

5.0 PROCESS 

5.1 Full AHIP Members can obtain an Application for Internship Enrollment (Appendix A) from the office of the Association or via the Association website.

5.2 The Application must be fully competed by both the Intern and the Monitor and the original application mailed to the office of the Association.

5.3 Upon verification that the Intern is a full member of AHIP and that the qualifications of the Monitor(s) comply with section 3.0 of this policy the  Association will send the Intern a letter outlining acceptance and the date at which  the Internship can commence.

5.4 The Intern, in addition to the letter of acceptance will be sent an Internship Kit. Each kit will contain a number of predated monthly log forms. Each form is to be  completed and signed by the Monitor(s) and Intern. The Intern is required to send  the original, completed monthly log forms to the Association office via courier or regular mail post marked no later than the 15th of the following month. The Intern should retain copies of the completed forms prior to submission.

Forms will not be accepted if: 

  • They are received or postmarked after the 15th of the following month.
  • They are not properly completed with dates, signatures and initials.
  • Any additional Monitor(s) have not been properly applied for (Appendix A).
  • They are faxed.
  • They are photocopied.

5.5 These hours are individually reviewed, filed and accumulated accordingly.

5.6 Once the Intern has accumulated 1,000 hours, the AHIP office will send to the Chair of Internship details pertaining to the Internship including: copies of the  original application, random logs and advice to the Chair of anything that may  appear unusual.

5.7 The Chair of Internship will contact the Monitor(s) and interview them in relation to establishing if the criteria as outlined in section 3.0 of this policy has been  successfully completed. The Chair may also utilize a survey to be given to the  Monitor and/or Intern to assist in his/her assessment.

5.8 Based on the assessment of the Chair of Internship:

  1. If successful, the Intern and Monitor will be sent a letter advising that the  Intern has successfully completed the AHIP Internship Program or
  2. If not successful, the Intern and Monitor will be sent a letter advising that the  Intern has not successfully completed the HIS Internship Program and advice  on what would be required to continue and be assessed again at a later date.