Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no 1320

Introduced by HON. CIRIACO B. GATO, JR. MD, FPSO-HNS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

ino shall be deprived of a functioning sense of hearing and
balance” — vision of the Philippine Nationa! Ear Institute, University of the Philippines -
National Institutes of Health.

Hearing and balance disorders are forms of disability that limits a person's
interaction with each other and with the environment. The ability to adequately hear, and
effectively speak allows smooth communication with one another, in a highly interactive
society. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that, in 2050, over 900
million people around the world will have disabling hearing loss. Disabling hearing loss
indicates that a person's hearing threshold is above 40dB, which indicates that these
people will have difficulty hearing speech sounds during conversations, and would need
some form of hearing technology to access speech sounds. It is estimated that
approximately 360 million people all over the world have disabling hearing loss, or 5% of
the world’s population (1). Of these, 32 million are reported to affect children, and 60% of
these cases could have been prevented (1). Furthermore, WHO data indicated that one
third of adults 65 years or older have hearing loss. US statistics indicated that of the half
million American with severe to profound hearing loss, 54% of them are senior citizens,
and 38% are people in the working age group (2).

In the Philippines, a nationwide prevalence study on hearing loss in 2005 found
8.8% of the population have hearing impairment, which roughly translates to 8 million
Filipinos needing audiological services. Of these, 36% have bilateral hearing loss (3)
Prevalence studies on congenital hearing loss in the Philippines which formed the basis
of the establishment of the Philippine National Ear Institute under the National Institutes
of Health, University of the Philippines (R.A.9245) and the Universal Newbom Hearing
Screening and Intervention Act (R.A.9709), showed that 1.6 per 1000 babies are born
deaf.


The large number within a constantly growing Philippine population warrants recruitment
and equitable distribution of a critical amount of competent and ethical professionals,
with skills in providing services and capacity building within local communities on hearing
and balance health care.

Integral to hearing health care, audiologists are important adjuncts of medical
professionals by assisting in the prevention, identification, diagnosis and treatment of
hearing, balance and other auditory disorders. Efficient and accurate screening and
diagnosis of hearing and balance impairment is necessary to institute an effective
treatment plan.

The science of audiology began as early as the Greek civilization, flourishing with
the introduction of various methods of hearing measurement equipment in the 1920s and
1930s, but gained formality post World War 2 with an increased number of hearing loss
due to acoustic trauma, and noise-induced hearing loss from heightened
industrialization. The 1° World Congress of Audiologists was held as early as in 1948,
and with the phoniatrists, in 1974. This has led to a revolution to address hearing
impairment in society, moving on to restoring hearing with the introduction of cochlear
implants or the “bionic ear’. As the care for persons with hearing and vestibular
impairments became sophisticated, and with a significant number of the populace
becoming at risk, a need for professionalizing the practice of audiology, with teaching,
training and monitoring of audiologists became inevitable (4).

In the Philippines, the practice of audiology was pioneered by ear, nose, throat
professionals who initially trained abroad, and together with those who were trained
locally, established hearing centers in various parts of the country. As the practice of
audiology is highly technology-dependent, services were offered together with
departments of ear nose throat in hospitals, and/or privately-owned hearing centers, with
varying methods, competencies and outcomes, sometimes unfortunately unsatisfactory.
Through the initiative of various institutions like the University of Santo Tomas and the
University of the Philippines Manifa, in partnership with the Audiology program of the
Macquarie University in Australia, the two schools offered master's degree course in
Clinical Audiology in 1999, and began slowly to address the lack of trained audiologists
in the country.

As of April 2020, data from the Association of Clinical Audiologists of the
Philippines revealed that there were 258 clinical audiologists who finished the locally
available master’s degree in Clinical Audiology, with 120 practicing in the Philippines
Considering the total Philippine population of 109,035,343 (5), the ratio of audiologist to
the population is 1 per 900,000. This however, excludes the practicing
audiometricianvaudiometrist trained by ENT specialists, serving their health facilities
and/or communities. Hopefully, with the filing of this bill, audiological services may be
available and accessible to vulnerable populations nationwide.


As with many other professions, this bill seeks to nationally recognize Audiology
as a profession, highlight its vital role in hearing health care, defines and regulates its
practice, raise the standard of practice, and answer the need for audiological services of
every Filipino at risk or have hearing disability and balance disorders.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

{a ™
CIRIACO B. GATO, JR. MD, FPSO-HNS

Krug. et al, 2016
Bianchfeld, et. al, 2001

Vitasa B, Martinez N, Abes GT et al, 2005)

‘The history of audiology). Med Pregi. 2004 Nov-Dee'$7(11-12)'17-6 Serbian. doi. 10.2208'mpns041261 1s (English
abstrect)

5. Philippine Statistics Authority (Census of Population and Housing as of May 2020)

Bene


Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House itt no. 1320

Introduced by HON. CIRIACO B. GATO, JR. MD, FPSO-HNS

AN ACT
REGULATING THE PRACTICE OF AUDIOLOGY AND AUDIOMETRY, CREATING
FOR THIS PURPOSE A PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF
AUDIOLOGY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, INTEGRATING
AUDIOLOGISTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

ARTICLE I
TITLE, DECLARATION OF POLICY, DEFINITION OF TERMS SECTION

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Audiology and Audiometry
Act of 2022.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the essential role of
audiology as a profession in safeguarding and enhancing the quality of life, and
general well-being of the citizenry Audiologic services shall therefore be promoted
as a regular component of the primary health care system

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms shall be
defined as follows:

a) “Audiology” refers to the profession that caters to the prevention,
conservation, assessment, and management of hearing, balance, and other
related disorders, as a fundamental component of human functions such as
communication, development of speech and language, and postural stability
that affect an individual's physical, social, educational, and occupational well-
being, and quality of life.


b) "Audiometry” refers the measurement of hearing, including procedures and tests
used to define the type, degree, and communicative consequences of hearing loss;
utilizing clinical hearing tests to evaluate sensitivity discrimination (acuity) aspects
of audition; including but not limited to tone and speech audiometry, electro
Physiologic procedures, acoustic-immittance measures, and tests of central
auditory processing;

¢) “Audiologist” refers to a natural person who, having satisfactorily completed an
academic program leading to at least a master's degree in audiology or its
equivalent higher degree, inclusive of at least 300 hours of supervised clinical
experience, followed by the equivalent of six months full-time professional
experience under the supervision of a registered and licensed audiologist, and has
passed the National Board Examination in Audiology administered by the the
Professional Regulatory Board of Audiology under the Professional Regulation
Commission of the Repubiic of the Philippines. As such, he/she is authorized to
conduct the entirety of the practice of audiology as defined in Article ll Section 4;

d) “Audiologist in good standing” refers to a registered audiologist who is authorized
to practice the profession in the Philippines by virtue of a valid certificate of
registration and a valid professional license issued by the commission for the
purpose:

e) “Audiometrist" refers to a natural person who has satisfactorily completed the
required training and clinical experience for audiometrists as determined by the
Commission on Higher Education, and the Board of Audiology. As such, he/she
shall be authorized to do any of the following, Provided, that such shall at all times
be conducted under the supervision of a licensed audiologist: Administering
audiometric examination, including but not limited to, (1) conduct of tone and
speech audiometry, acoustic immittance measures, (2) assist the audiologist in
vestibular, pediatric, and electrophysiologic assessment;

f) “Audiometrist in good standing” refers to a qualified audiometrist, who by
virtue of a valid certificate of accreditation in audiometry issued by the Board of
Audiology for the purpose, is authorized in the limited practice of audiometry
in the Philippines under the supervision of an Audiologist in good standing,


g) “Certificate of registration” refers to a document signed by the Chair of the
Commission and by all members of the Board of Audiology and bearing its
seal, issued to an applicant who has satisfied the requirements for the
practice of audiology. It shall serve as proof that the registrant is qualified to
practice the respective professions in the Philippines;

h) “Professional license” refers to a renewable card, issued by the PRC to a
registered audiologist, indicating that he/she is competent and authorized to
practice audiology in the Philippines. Until the loss of its validity or expiration, such
license shall serve as evidence that its bearer is an audiologist or audiometrist
in good standing;

i) ‘Certificate of Accreditation” refers to a document signed by all the
members of the Board and bearing its seal, issued to an applicant who has
satisfied the requirements for the limited practice of audiometry in the
Philippines under the supervision of an Audiologist in good standing. It
shall serve as proof that the person is accredited for the limited practice of
audiometry in the Philippines under the supervision of an Audiologist in
good standing;

i) ‘Code of Professional Ethics" refers to a set of standards relating to
the conduct, integrity and moral duties of audiologists, as prescribed by the
duly integrated and accredited national organization of audiologists, and
adopted and promuigated by the Board upon approval by the commission


ARTICLE I
THE PRACTICE OF AUDIOLOGY

SECTION 4. The Scope of the Practice of Audiology. — Any of the following acts
constitute the practice of Audiology

a) The assessment of human auditory and vestibular function through the
employment of clinical subjective (behavioral) and objective (physiologic)
procedures and tests to describe the etiology, degree, and deduce potential
communicative consequences of hearing loss; including the use of specific
instruments, and techniques, for the purpose of determining the condition,
sensitivity and discrimination (acuity) of human hearing and balance, and to
provide audiologic management of the same, in accordance with subsections
(b), (c), and (d) hereof,

b) The selection, prescription, and dispensing of hearing aids, assistive listening

devices, implantable hearing devices, and their accessories and solutions,

and supplies for the purpose of correcting and treating defects, deficiencies
and abnormalities of audition.

The use of educational techniques; conduct of auditory/vestibular training and
hearing habilitation and rehabilitation, the provision of other measures,
devices, and procedures to aid, correct, habilitate or relieve problems of
human audition to obtain optima! audition and comfort except those that
should be medically or surgically provided;

d) The counseling of patients regarding concems that occur as a consequence
of hearing andor balance impairment; and implementation of programs for
hearing conservation, and for the prevention of reduced auditory function;

°)

e) The establishment of offices, programs, clinics, and similar places and
platforms where audiologic services are offered; and

f) The collection of professional fees for the performance of any of the acts
mentioned in paragraphs (a), (b). (c), and (d) of this section

SECTION 5. Prohibition Against the Unauthorized Practice of Audiology. — No
person shall practice audiology as defined in Section 3 of this Act nor perform any of
the acts constituting the practice of audiology as set forth in Section 4 hereof, without
having been first admitted to the practice of this profession under the provisions of
this Act and its implementing rules and regulations


SECTION 6. Disclosure of Authority to Practice. — An audiologist shall be
required to indicate his or her professional license number in the documents he or
she issues or signs in connection with the practice of his/her profession. He/she shall
also display his or her certificate of registration in a conspicuous area of his or her
clinic or office.

ARTICLE Ill
THE PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY BOARD OF AUDIOLOGY

SECTION 7. The Professional Regulatory Board of Audiology. - There is hereby
created a Professional Regulatory Board of Audiology, hereinafter referred to as the
Board composed of five (5) members who shail be appointed by the President of the
Philippines, upon the recommendation of the PRC, from a list of ten (10) nominees
submitted by the duly Accredited Integrated Professional Organization (AIPO) of
Audiology,

SECTION 8. Qualifications of Members of the Board. — At the time of their
respective appointments, the members of the Board including the Chairperson, must
be:

a) A citizen of the Philippines and resident of the Philippines for the last five (5)
years;

b) A duly registered and licensed audiologist in good standing; Provided,
however, that in the case of the first members of the Board of Audiology, they
shall be issued Certificates of Registration as Audiologists without prior
examination;

c) A person who has not been convicted of any competent court of an offense

involving moral turpitude;

d) A person who has been in active practice of the profession for at least ten (10)
years prior to his or her appointment: Provided, That for purposes of creating
the initial Board, active practice of the profession for at least five (5) years
prior to his or her appointment will suffice; Provided further, That a person
who is a member of the faculty, whether full-time, part-time or lecturer of any
school, college or university where @ regular course in audiology is taught, or
who has any pecuniary interest, directly or indirectly, in such institution must
forgo his or her membership in said faculty or relinquish his or her interests in
said institution before or upon taking his or her oath as a member of the
Board; Provided, finally, That an incumbent officer of the AIPO or any
audiologic association is disqualified from concurrently being appointed to or

serving in the Board


SECTION 9. Term of Office. - The members of the Board shall hold office for
non-renewable term of five (5) years, starting on the date of appointment and until
their successors shall have been appointed, Provided, however, That the first
appointees to the Board shall hold office as follows: the chairperson for five (5) years
and the four (4) other members for fixed terms of four (4), three (3) two (2) and one
(1) yearls such, that the term of one member shall be due to expire every year.
Thereafter, one member shall be appointed for the full term every year and such
member, in the last year of his or her term, shall automatically become the
chairperson of the Board. Vacancies brought about by reasons other than expiration
of term shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term only.

SECTION 10. Removal or Suspension of Board Members. — Any member of the
Board, after having been given the opportunity to defend himself or herself in a
proper administrative investigation conducted by the PRC, may be removed by the
President of the Philippines for neglect of duty, incompetence, malpractice, or
unprofessional, unethical, immoral or dishonorable conduct. During the process of
investigation, the President of the Philippines may suspend such member under
such investigation for a period of not more than sixty (60) days and appoint a
temporary member in his place.

SECTION 11. Compensation of Board Members. — The members of the Board
shall receive compensation in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
Professional Regulatory Commission.

SECTION 12. Functions and Powers of the Board. - The Board is hereby vested
with authority to:

a) Promulgate the rules and regulations for the practice of audiology, subject to
the approval of the PRC and in accordance with the provisions of this Act

b) Administer and enforce the rules and regulations specified in the
preceding sections;

Determine, prepare, adopt, issue or amend the syllabi and contents of,
and questions for licensure examinations, adopt measures to ensure the
integrity thereof correct and rate the examination papers and submit the
results thereof to the PRC;

°)

d) Formulate and oversee, in consultation with the PRC, guidelines for the
proper conduct of licensure examinations and the registration of audiologists

as well as the accreditation of audiometrists;

Issue, suspend, revoke and reissue certificates of registration of qualified
audiologists and renew their professional licenses and issue, suspend, revoke
and reissue certificates of accreditation of audiometrists;

e)


f)

g

h

k

)

Impose reasonable requirements and conditions, such as attendance in
continuing education activities and program, for the renewal of an
audiologist’s license to practice and for the purpose of upgrading the
professional competence of audiologists and audiometrists;

Maintain a registry of audiologists and audiometrists in good standing;

Adopt, promulgate and disseminate the Code of Ethics for the practice of
audiology in the Philippines;

Administer oaths in connection with the implementation of this Act;

Conduct hearings and investigations to resolve complaints against
practitioners of audiology for malpractice, unethical and unprofessional
conduct, and violations of this Act or its implementing rules and
regulations, and in connection therewith, issue subpoena ad testificandum
and subpoena duces fecum and punish with contempt persons
obstructing, impeding and/or otherwise interfering with the conduct of such
proceedings;

Conduct ocular inspections of establishments and/or premises where
audiologic services are offered to ascertain that professional standards are
compiied with;

1) Upon application, to issue an order enjoining or abating the illegal practice
of audiology by unqualified persons:

m) Impose fines and penalties, after due process and in accordance with the
provision of this Act, for causes provided for by law or by the rules and
regulations promulgated therefor,

n) Evaluate periodically the status of audiologic education and recommend
and/or adopt measures to upgrade and maintain high standards; and

©) Study the conditions affecting the practice of audiology in all parts of the
Philippines, and whenever necessary, adopt such measures as may be
deemed proper for the maintenance of good ethics and high professional
standards of audioiogic practice.

SECTION 13. Quorum in Board Meetings. — The attendance of three (3) members
shall constitute a quorum for the Board to officially transact business.

SECTION 14. Votes Required in Administrative Cases. — To render a decision in
an administrative case for unethical practice, malpractice, immorality, dishonesty,
and related charges affecting the professional fitness and integrity of an audiologist
or audiometrician, the vote of three (3) members must be obtained; Provided, That in

7


case members are disqualified to vote by virtue of their relationship to or interest in
any of the parties or voluntarily inhibits themselves from participating in the
proceedings, the Board shall designate, with the approval of the Commission, and
audiologist in good standing who is respected in the audioiogic community for their
probity and integrity to sit in the Board, participate in the proceedings, and vote on
the case.

SECTION 15. Supervision of the Board and Custody of its Records. — The
members of the Board, shall be under the general supervision of the PRC. All
records, including examination papers, examination results, minutes of deliberations,
records of administrative cases and investigation of the Board shall be kept by the
said Commission.

SECTION 16. Annual Report. — The Board shail, at the end of each calendar year,
submit to the Commission an annual report of its activities and proceedings during
the year. Other information or data may be requested by the Commission as often as
may be necessary and practicable.

ARTICLE IV
LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS.

SECTION 17. Licensure Examination Requirement. - Every applicant seeking to
be registered as an audiologist shall undergo an examination as provided in this Act.
Examinations for the practice of audiology or limited practice of audiometry in the
Philippines shall be given by the Board at least once every year in such places,
platforms, and dates as PRC may designate.

SECTION 18. Scope of Examination. - The Board of Audiology shall prescribe the
scope and prepare the contents of the licensure examinations. In the discharge of
this function, the Board shall take into account recent developments in audiology as
well as the academic standards imposed by the Commission on Higher Education on
educational institutions which offer a course in audiology

SECTION 19. Qualifications of an Applicant for the Licensure Examinations for
Audiologists. — An applicant for the licensure examination for Audiologist shall meet
the following qualifications

a) Must possess a Philippine citizenship;
b) Must be of good moral character;

c) Must hold a graduate degree (such as Master of Clinical Audiology; Master
of Audiology; Doctor of Audiology; or Doctor of Philosophy in Audiology,)
obtained from a school, college, university or institution duly accredited or
recognized by the Commission on Higher Education, with coursework

8


inclusive of the following minimum basic subject areas: anatomy and
physiology of hearing and balance; acoustics, assessment methods;
pediatric/adult aural re/habilitation; audiologic disorders; aural habilitation,
rehabilitation and amplification; introduction to communication options;
audiology ethics and jurisprudence; audiology economics and practice
management; environmental and public health audiology; clinical
audiology practicum; and audiology research methods

Must not have been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a
court of competent jurisdiction

d)

SECTION 20. Qualifications of an Applicant for the Licensure Examinations for
Audiometrists. - An applicant for the licensure examination for Audiometrists shall
meet the following qualifications:

a) Must possess a Philippine citizenship

b) Must be of good moral character;
c) Must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in Audiology

d) Must not have been convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude by a
court of competent jurisdiction

SECTION. 21. Ratings in the Examination. — To pass the licensure examination, a
candidate for audiologist must obtain a passing rating of seventy-five percent (75%)
in each subject given during the examination: Provided, however, That an examinee
who obtains a passing rating in the majority of the subjects but obtains in other
subjects below seventy-five percent (75%) but not lower than sixty percent (60%),
shall be allowed to take one removal examination on the subjects where the passing
rating was not obtained: Provided, further, That should an examine fail to obtain a
passing rating in the removal examination, the examinee shall be considered as
having failed the entire licensure examination: Provided, finally, That any candidate
who fails to pass the examination in three (3) successive attempts shall not be
admitted in the fourth examination unless he or she could present to the Board a
certification that the examinee had re-enrolled and undergone with the year
preceding, a pre-board review course from a review center duly organized by the
Commission.

SECTION. 22. Report of Rating. - The Board shall submit to the commission the
ratings obtained by each candidate within ten (10) calendar days after the
examination unless extended for just cause.


ARTICLE V
REGISTRATION AND LICENSURE OF AUDIOLOGISTS

SECTION. 23. Oath. - All successful examinees shall be required to take their oath
before the Board or before any person authorized to administer oaths prior to the
issuance of the certificate of registration: Provided, however, that the applicant is not
disqualified under any of the provisions of Section 24 hereof.

SECTION. 24. Disqualification. - The following applicants shall not be allowed to
take their oath as audiologists nor issued certificates of registration

a) Those who do not possess the qualifications set forth in Section 19 of this Act;
b) Those who fail to pass the Audiology Board licensure examination;

c) Those who have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving
moral turpitude by any court;

d) Those who have been found guilty by the Board of immoral or dishonorable
conduct; and
e) Those who have been declared to be of unsound ming.

Such fact of disqualification shail be communicated by the Board to the applicant
by written statement, which statement shall form part of the records of the Board.

SECTION. 25. Registration. — The PRC shall register successful examinees who
have taken their oath and thereafter grant them professional licenses to practice
audiology. The certificate of registration shall be considered as evidence that the
registrant is qualified to practice audiology in the Philippines.

SECTION. 26. Registration without Taking Licensure Examination for
Audiologists. — A person who possesses the pertinent qualifications listed below
pursuant to the provisions of this Act may be registered without examination
Provided, That the applicant files with the Board within three (3) years after its
creation, an application for registration and issuance of certificate of registration and
professional identification card by submitting credentials satisfactory to the Board
that the applicant had, on or prior to the effectivity of this act, was a graduate degree
holder in Audiology from a recognized institution — with at least one year of
accumulated experience.


SECTION. 27. Registration without Taking Licensure Examination for
Audiometrists. - A person who possesses the pertinent qualifications listed below
pursuant to the provisions of this Act may be registered without examination
Provided, That the applicant files with the Board within three (3) years after its
creation, an application for registration and issuance of certificate of registration and
professional identification card by submitting credentials satisfactory to the Board
that the applicant had, on or prior to the effectivity of this Act, fulfilled the
requirements under either subparagraphs (a) or (b) herein:

a) Had passed at least eighteen (18) units of tertiary level (doctoral, masteral
or baccalaureate) courses inclusive of clinical practicum in audiologic
assessment in Audiology;

b) Had at least seven (7) years of clinical experience in audiometry

SECTION. 28. Accreditation. - The Board of Audiology shall grant certificates of
accreditation for the limited practice of audiology and audiometry to successful
examinees. It shall serve as proof that the person is accredited for the limited
practice of audiology and audiometry in the Philippines under the supervision of an
Audiologist in good standing.

SECTION. 29. Revocation of Certificates and Suspension of Professional
Licenses. — The Board may, after giving proper notice and hearing to the
parlyconcemed, revoke an audiologist's certificate of registration or suspend his or
her license to practice for any unprofessional or unethical conduct, malpractice, or
violation of any of the provisions of this Act or its rules and regulations, or upon the
conviction of the audiologist of a crime involving moral turpitude. The same applies
to an audiometrician’s certificate of accreditation

SECTION. 30. Appeals. - The revocation of a certificate of suspension of a
professional license by the Board shall become final unless appealed to the PRC
within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the decision,

SECTION. 31. Reinstatement, Reissuance or Replacement of Certificates. — The
Board may, upon application and for reasons deemed proper and sufficient, reinstate
any suspended certificate of registration or accreditation, or issue another certificate
in fieu of one previously revoked, and in so doing it may, in its discretion, exempt the
applicant from taking another examination

Anew certificate to replace any certificate lost, destroyed or mutilated may be
issued subject to the rules that may be implemented by the Board

uu


SECTION. 32. Renewal of Professional Licenses. - All licenses shall be
renewable every three (3) years and shall be considered renewed only upon
satisfying the requirements imposed by the Board, such as attendance in continuing
‘education programs and payment of corresponding fees as may be fixed by the
Board in accordance with the rules of fees fixed by the PRC.

ARTICLE VI AUDIOLOGY
EDUCATION

SECTION. 33. The Technical Panel on Audiological Education. — To attain the
objective of upgrading audiologic education in the Philippines, the Commission on
Higher Education, pursuant to Section 12 of Republic Act No. 7722 shall, within
sixty(60) days after the approval of this Act, convene and organize a technical pane!
on audiologic education. For this purpose, senior practitioners, specialists,
academicians in the field of audiology and a representative from the Philippine
Society of Audiology as the accredited national organization of audiologists shail be
appointed and tapped to assist in the following

a) Setting a minimum standard curriculum for the study of audiology to be
implemented in all schools offering audiology as the undergraduate course
and degree;

b) Establishing teaching standards, including the qualifications of members of
the faculty of schools and colleges of audiology:

¢) Monitoring the progress of the program on the study of audiology and
undertaking measures for the attainment of a high quality of audiologic
education in the country; and

d) Evaluating periodically the performance of educational institutions offering
audiologic education for the purpose of granting accreditation and incentives
as well as for the impositions of sanctions when warranted.

ARTICLE VII
PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENALTIES

SECTION. 34. Prohibited Acts. — The following acts are prohibited:

a) Giving false or forged evidence of any kind to the Board or to any member
thereof for the purpose of obtaining a certification or a professional license;

b) Assumption, use or advertisement by a person, not holding a valid
certificate of registration and a valid professional license in accordance
with this Act, of a description, in connection with his name or title, tending

12


to convey the impression that he or she is a duly registered audiologist;

c) Any form of advertisement in media outiets giving information and
impression to the public that the particular audiologist is better than the
others, is collecting lower professional fees or selling cheaper hearing aids
or devices;

d) Engaging in unauthorized practice of audiology as defined in Section 5 of
this Act; and,

e) Violation by any person, whether natural or juridical, of any of the

provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations promulgated for its
effective implementation

SECTION. 35. Penal Provisions. — The commission of any of the prohibited
acts listed in the immediately preceding section shall be punished with
imprisonment of not less than one (1) years but not more than eight (8) years, or a
fine of not less than Fifty Thousand pesos (Php 50,000.00) but not more than One
Hundred Thousand pesos (Php 100,000.00) or both at the discretion of the court.

In addition, the administrative penalties specified in Section 27 hereof shall be
imposed whenever applicable.

If the violation is committed by an association, partnership, corporation, or any
other institution, the managing officers and other persons responsible for its
commission shall be liable for penatties provided for in this Act.

ARTICLE VIil
PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL STANDARDS

SECTION. 36. Foreign Reciprocity. —- No foreigner shall be admitted to the
audiology board examinations uniess he or she proves in the manner prescribed by
the Rules of Court that by specific provision of law, the country of which he/she is a
citizen, subject or national, either admits Filipino citizens to the practice of audiology
without restriction, or allows them to practice audiology after an examination on
terms of strict and absolute equality with citizens, subjects or nationals of said
country, including the unconditional recognition of prerequisite degrees prescribed by
the Commission on Higher Education, Provided, however, That the Board, upon
approval by the PRC, may grant special permit to a foreign audiologist to practice the
profession in this country whether or not reciprocity exists between his or her country
and the Philippines and under such conditions as may be determined by the Board, if
‘such foreigner is internationally known to be an outstanding expert in the profession
or a well-known specialist in any of its branches, and that his or her services will
promote the advancement of the profession in the Philippines. The Board is also
hereby authorized to prescribe, upon approval by the PRC, additional requirements
3


or grant certain privileges to foreigners, seeking registration in the Philippines if the
same privileges are granted to or some additional requirements are required of
citizens of the Philippines in acquiring the same certificate in his country.

SECTION. 37. Rules and Regulations. — The Board shall set professional
standards for the practice of audiology in the Philippines and adopt such rules and
regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, subject to the
approval of the PRC. Such standards, rules and regulations shall take effect thirty
(30) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general
circulation.

SECTION. 38. Integration of Audiologists and Audiometrists. — In order for every
audiologist and audiometrists to contribute to his or her profession and to bear his or
her share of professional responsibilities, all audiologists and audiometrists shall be
encouraged to join and be integrated into the AIPO, which shall be recognized by the
Board and the PRC. Every audiologist and audiometrist, upon registration with the
Board before the effectivity of this Act may register as members of the integrated
organization within three (3) years after said effectivity.

SECTION. 39. Purposes. - The AIPO shall promulgate the Code of Ethics for the
practice of profession, define the professional responsibilities of its members, ensure
adherence to said professional ethics and responsibilities, improve the standards of

the profession and enable audiologists to discharge their public responsibility more
effectively.

SECTION. 40. Membership Fees and Dues. — All members shall be subject to the
payment of reasonable fees and dues for the effective discharge of the purposes of
the AIPO. An audiologist shall receive the benefits and privileges appurtenant to his
or her membership only upon payment of the payment of the required membership
fees and dues.

SECTION. 41. Code of Professional Ethics. - The Board shall adopt the
Professional Code of Ethics promulgated by the AIPO; Provided, that such Code
provides that it is the duty of an audiologist to:

a) Consider as his or her primary responsibility the auditory welfare of the
public;

b) Promote the best possible standards of professional care;
c) Enhance continuously his or her theoretical and practical proficiency;
d) Render his or her services with equal diligence to all, regardless of race,

creed or status;
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e) Respect the confidential nature of information concerning those he or she
serves; and,

f) Refer for medical or other professional attention where the need is
indicated.

The Board shall also distribute the Code of Ethics of the Audiologic Profession
in the Philippines to all new audiologists and audiometricians during their oath taking,

Any act or omission which violates this Code shall be considered as unethical
conduct and shall be suspended or prohibited from the practice of audiology, in
accordance with Section 34 of this Act.

ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS

SECTION. 42. Funding Provisions. - The Chairperson of the Commission shall

include in the Commission's programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of
which shall be included in the General Appropriations Act

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SECTION. 43. Assistance of Law Enforcement Agency. — Any law enforcement
agency shall, upon call or request of the Commission of the Board, render
assistance in enforcing this Act, including al! the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder by prosecuting the violators thereof in accordance with law and the Rules
of Court.

SECTION. 44. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within sixty (60) days after
the effectivity of this Act and subject to the approval of the Commission, the Board
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations, in coordination with the AIPO,
to implement the provisions of this Act, which shall be effective after fifteen (15) days
following its publication in the Official Gazette or two Philippine newspapers of
general circulation.

SECTION. 45. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shail at any time be
found to be unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder thereof not affected by such

declaration shal! remain in full force and effect.

SECTION. 46. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, rules or regulations
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SECTION. 47. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following

its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

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