153A.13 DEFINITIONS. Subdivision 1. Applicability. The definitions in this section apply to sections 153A.13 to 153A.18. Subd. 2. Commissioner. “Commissioner” means the commissioner of the Department of Health or a designee. Subd. 3. Hearing instrument. “Hearing instrument” means an instrument, or any of its parts, worn in the ear canal and designed to or represented […]
153A.14 REGULATION. Subdivision 1. Application for certificate. An applicant must: (1) be 21 years of age or older; (2) apply to the commissioner for a certificate to dispense hearing instruments on application forms provided by the commissioner; (3) at a minimum, provide the applicant’s name, Social Security number, business address and phone number, employer, and […]
153A.15 PROHIBITED ACTS; ENFORCEMENT; AND PENALTY. Subdivision 1. Prohibited acts. The commissioner may take enforcement action as provided under subdivision 2 against a dispenser of hearing instruments for the following acts and conduct: (1) dispensing a hearing instrument to a minor person 18 years or younger unless evaluated by an audiologist for hearing evaluation and […]
153A.17 EXPENSES; FEES. (a) The expenses for administering the certification requirements, including the complaint handling system for hearing aid dispensers in sections 153A.14 and 153A.15, and the Consumer Information Center under section 153A.18, must be paid from initial application and examination fees, renewal fees, penalties, and fines. The commissioner shall only use fees collected under […]
153A.175 PENALTY FEES. (a) The penalty fee for holding oneself out as a hearing instrument dispenser without a current certificate after the credential has expired and before it is renewed is one-half the amount of the certificate renewal fee for any part of the first day, plus one-half the certificate renewal fee for any part […]
153A.18 CONSUMER INFORMATION CENTER. The commissioner shall establish a Consumer Information Center to assist actual and potential purchasers of hearing aids by providing them with information regarding hearing instrument sales. The Consumer Information Center shall disseminate information about consumers’ legal rights related to hearing instrument sales, provide information relating to complaints about dispensers of hearing […]
153A.20 HEARING INSTRUMENT DISPENSER ADVISORY COUNCIL. Subdivision 1. Membership. (a) The commissioner shall appoint seven persons to a Hearing Instrument Dispenser Advisory Council. (b) The seven persons must include: (1) three public members, as defined in section 214.02. At least one of the public members shall be a hearing instrument user and one of the […]
