Sec. 402.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Advisory board" means the Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers Advisory Board.

(2) "Commission" means the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation.

(3) "Department" means the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

(3-a) "Executive director" means the executive director of the department.

(4) "Fitting and dispensing hearing instruments" means the measurement of human hearing by the use of an audiometer or other means to make selections, adaptations, or sales of hearing instruments. The term includes prescribing, ordering, or authorizing the use of hearing instruments, the making of impressions for earmolds to be used as a part of the hearing instruments, and providing any necessary postfitting counseling for the purpose of fitting and dispensing hearing instruments.

(4-a) "Hearing aid" means any wearable device designed for, offered for the purpose of, or represented as aiding persons with or compensating for impaired hearing. The term includes hearing instruments and over-the-counter hearing aids.

(5) "Hearing instrument" means a prescription hearing aid as that term is defined by 21 C.F.R. Section 800.30.

(6) "License" means a license issued by the department under this chapter to a person authorized to fit and dispense hearing instruments.

(6-a) "Over-the-counter hearing aid" has the meaning assigned by 21 C.F.R. Section 800.30.

(7) "Sale" includes a lease, rental, or any other purchase or exchange for value. The term does not include a sale at wholesale by a manufacturer to a person licensed under this chapter or to a distributor for distribution and sale to a person licensed under this chapter.

Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1062 (S.B. 663), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 5.054, eff. April 2, 2015.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 5.318(4), eff. April 2, 2015.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 838 (S.B. 202), Sec. 1.082, eff. September 1, 2015.

Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 960 (S.B. 2017), Sec. 5, eff. June 18, 2023.