471 NAC 23-002. DEFINITIONS

002. DEFINITIONS. The following definitions apply: 002.01 AUDIOLOGIST. An individual who practices audiology and who presents themselves to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words audiologist, hearing clinician, hearing therapist, or any similar title or description of services. 002.02 PRACTICE OF AUDIOLOGY. The application of evidence-based practice in clinical decision making for the prevention, assessment, habilitation, rehabilitation, and maintenance of persons with hearing, auditory function, and vestibular function impairments, and related impairments. Practice of audiology does not include the practice of medical diagnosis, medical treatment, or surgery. Practices do include: (A) Cerumen removal from the cartilaginous outer one-third portion of the external auditory canal when the presence of cerumen may affect the accuracy of hearing evaluations or impressions of the ear canal for amplification devices; and (B) Evaluation, selection, fitting, and dispensing of hearing instruments, external processors of implantable hearing instruments, and assistive technology devices as part of a comprehensive audiological rehabilitation program. 002.03 PRACTICE OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY. The application of principles and methods associated with the development and disorders of human communication skills and with dysphagia and cognition services, in which principles and methods include screening, assessment, evaluation, treatment, prevention, consultation, and restorative modalities for speech, voice, language, language-based learning, hearing, swallowing, cognition, or other upper aero-digestive functions for the purpose of improving quality of life by reducing impairments of body functions and structures, activity limitations, participation restrictions, and environmental barriers. Practice of speech-language pathology does not include the practice of medical diagnosis, medical treatment, or surgery. 002.04 SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST. An individual who presents themselves to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words speech-language pathologist, speech therapist, speech clinician, and who has completed all requirements of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association to practice speech-language pathology. 002.05 TREATING PRACTITIONER. Providers licensed and authorized to order therapy services and to prescribe durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and medical supplies (DMEPOS) include physicians, nurse partitioners (NP), clinical nurse specialists, andphysician assistants (PAs).