(a) As part of evaluation the interdisciplinary team must determine any need for further hearing assessment. This determination is completed by reviewing the current hearing and auditory status for every child through an analysis of evaluation protocol results. A screening tool may be used for a child who is eligible based on a medical diagnosis or vision impairment.
(b) The contractor must refer a child to a licensed audiologist if the child has been identified as having a need for further hearing assessment and the child has not had a hearing assessment within six months of the hearing needs identification. If necessary to access a licensed audiologist, the contractor may refer the child to their primary health care provider. The referral must be made:
  (1) within five working days; and
  (2) with parental consent.
(c) If the contractor receives an audiological assessment that indicates the child has an auditory impairment, the contractor must respond as follows.
  (1) The contractor must, within five business days, make a referral to the LEA to participate in the eligibility determination process as part of the interdisciplinary team, and with written parental consent, complete the communication evaluation. The contractor must refer to the LEA any child who uses amplification.
  (2) With prior written parental consent, the contractor must refer the child to an otologist, an otolaryngologist, or an otorhinolaryngologist for an otological examination. An otological examination may be completed by any licensed medical physician when an otologist is not available. The child's record must include documentation that an otologist, an otolaryngologist, or an otorhinolaryngologist was not available to complete the examination.

Source Note: The provisions of this §350.813 adopted to be effective September 1, 2013, 38 TexReg 5524; amended to be effective March 7, 2015, 40 TexReg 939; amended to be effective January 10, 2016, 41 TexReg 499; amended to be effective June 30, 2019, 44 TexReg 3280; transferred effective March 1, 2021, as published in the Texas Register February 5, 2021, 46 TexReg 941