To become a licensed audiologist or speech-language pathologist in Texas requires a great deal of education. These professions often need to complete years of rigorous academic and clinical training focused on the study and diagnosis of hearing disorders, hearing loss, and other audiological medical issues.
Texas Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists are regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The TDLR oversees the program, sets licensing standards, issues licenses, and investigates complaints filed against licensees. Complaints filed by individuals who believe their audiologist behaved in an unethical or unprofessional manner are serious. If the allegations are found to be true, an audiologist or speech-language pathologists could lose their license to work in Texas.
Those licensed under the Audiologists program have a duty to comply with the Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Administrative Rules and all other applicable state and federal laws. The TDLR recently adopted amendments to the Administrative Rules, which took effect on May 1, 2018. The rule changes break down into three categories: those necessary to implement Texas House Bill 4007, making licensing and other clean-up changes, and to update the supervision provisions throughout the code section.
The supervision changes include reorganizing existing rules and moving the internship, supervision, and practice and duties requirements into separate distinct rule sections. These changes were designed to make it easier to find specific provisions regarding supervision requirements. 16 Tex. Admin. Code §111.
Common Complaints Against Texas Audiologists
Complaints lodged with the TDLR against audiologists, speech-language pathologists, or hearing instrument fitters and dispensers cover a wide range of allegations. Some of the most common complaints involve:
- Misdiagnosis
- Delay of diagnosis
- Defective equipment (especially if the patient believes the audiologist knowingly sold the patient defective hearing aids)
- Inappropriate behavior (including sexual harassment)
- Reckless or negligent behavior
When allegations of misconduct are pending against you, it is critical that you take the TDLR complaint seriously from the start. Even if you believe you did nothing wrong, you should address the complaint head-on from the start because your Audiology license may be in jeopardy.
Texas Audiologist License Defense Attorney
Having an experienced Texas Audiologist license defense attorney on your side can often make a dramatic difference in the outcome of your case. It is important to talk to a lawyer at BERTOLINO LLP immediately after being notified of the complaint made against you.
Our firm believes that immediately consulting an experienced professional license defense attorney to review allegations of misconduct helps ensure the most favorable outcome in your case. Our results speak for themselves.
BERTOLINO LLP represents licensed professionals across the entire State of Texas. If you are facing disciplinary action from a professional licensing board, contact us today or call (512) 476-5757 and schedule a case evaluation.
Call or text (512) 476-5757 or complete a Case Evaluation form
