What professional body regulates hearing aid specialists in North Carolina?

The North Carolina State Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Board is specifically established to regulate the practice of hearing aid specialists within the state. This Board oversees licensing, ensures compliance with professional standards, and protects public health and safety by regulating those who dispense hearing aids. It is focused solely on this area, unlike other organizations that may handle broader medical or health-related concerns.

The North Carolina Medical Board, for example, is responsible for regulating the practice of medicine and surgery, which encompasses physicians and other medical professionals but does not specifically address hearing aid specialists. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association focuses on a wider range of communication disorders and professionals in speech-language pathology and audiology, but it does not serve as a regulatory body for hearing aid dealers and fitters, as its functions are more about professional development and certification than licensure. Finally, the North Carolina Department of Health has a broader public health mandate and does not specifically regulate hearing aid specialists. Therefore, the North Carolina State Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Board is the correct organization that directly regulates hearing aid specialists, emphasizing its unique role in this specialized field.