Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1958

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

EXPLANATORY NOTE

“No Filipino shall be deprived of a functioning sense of hearing and balance” — vision
of the Philippine National 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 Newborn 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 jative of various institutions
like the University of Santo Tomas and the University of the Philippines Manila, 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 audiometrician/audiometrist 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.

Krug, et.al, 2016
Blanchfield, et al, 2001

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

The history of audiology], Med Pregi. 2004 Nov-Dec;57(11-12)'611-8. Serbian. dot: 10.2298/mpns041261 1s (English
abstract)

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


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1956

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 2025.”

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;

c) “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
Professional Regulatory Board of Audiology under the Professional Regulation Commission of


the Republic of the Philippines. As such, he/she is authorized to conduct the entirety of the
practice of audiology as defined in Article II 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;

©) “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;

2) “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 promulgated 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 (4) 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 optimal audition and
comfort except those that should be medically or surgically provided;

4) The counseling of patients regarding concerns that occur as a consequence of hearing
and/or 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

£) 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 Il
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 shall 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;


©) 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 a 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 a 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) year/s 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;

e) 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;

f) 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 audiomettists;

g) Maintain a registry of audiologists and audiometrists in good standing;

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

i) Administer oaths in connection with the implementation of this Act;

j) 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 tecum and punish with contempt _ persons
obstructing, impeding and/or otherwise interfering with the conduct of such proceedings;

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

}) 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 audiologic 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 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 audiologic 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 shall, 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;

©) 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 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

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

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;

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

4) Those who have been found guilty by the Board of immoral or dishonorable conduct;
and;

) Those who have been declared to be of unsound mind.

Such fact of disqualification shall 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 party concerned, 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 lieu of one previously
revoked, and in so doing it may, in its discretion, exempt the applicant from taking another
examination.

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

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

©) Any form of advertisement in media outlets 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 penalties provided for in this Act.

ARTICLE VIII
PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL STANDARDS

SECTION. 36. Foreign Reciprocity. — No foreigner shall be admitted to the audiology
board examinations unless 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 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;
©) 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;

) 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.

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 all 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 shall at any time be
found to be unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder thereof not affected by such declaration
shall 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,