South Dakota § 36-24-1 - Definition of terms.

§ 36-24-1. Definition of terms.

Terms used in this chapter mean:

(1)    "Audiogram," a graphic summary of the measurements of hearing loss showing number of decibels loss at each frequency tested;

(2)    "Audiologist," any person who is engaged in the practice of audiology and licensed pursuant to this chapter;

(3)    "Audiology," the application of principles, methods, and procedures related to hearing and the disorders of hearing and to related language and speech disorders;

(4)    "Auditory brain stem implant," a surgically implanted device that provides perception of sound via stimulation to the brainstem to a person who has significant sensorineural hearing loss in which stimulation at the auditory nerve is no longer a viable option;

(5)    "Auditory osseointegrated device," a device, including surgical and non-surgical wearing options, that delivers sound to the inner ear by bypassing the outer and middle ear via bone conduction;

(6)    "Board," the Board of Licensed Hearing Aid Dispensers and Audiologists;

(7)    "Cochlear implant," a surgically implanted device that provides perception of sound via stimulation to the cochlea to a person who has sensorineural hearing loss and to whom benefits from a hearing aid are limited;

(8)    "Disorders of human hearing, balance, and other neural systems," any condition or auditory sensitivity, acuity, function, or processing disorder, whether of organic or nonorganic origin, peripheral or central, that impedes the normal function of balance or normal process of human communication;

(9)    "Dispense," any transfer of title, possession, or of the right to use by lease, bailment, or any other contract, excluding wholesale transactions with a distributor or dealer;

(10)    "Hearing aid," a wearable instrument, device, or ear mold, and any of its parts, attachments, or accessories, designed for, offered for the purpose of, or represented as aiding a person with, or compensating for, impaired hearing. The term does not include:

(a)    Batteries or cords; or

(b)    Cochlear implants or cochlear prosthesis;

(11)    "Licensed hearing aid dispenser," any person, other than an audiologist, who is engaged in the practice of hearing aid dispensing and who is licensed pursuant to this chapter; and

(12)    "Provisional license," any license issued to a person who is training to be a licensed hearing aid dispenser and who is supervised by a person who holds a valid hearing aid dispensing license or audiology license.

Source: SL 1968, ch 118, § 2; SL 1997, ch 221, § 1; SL 2024, ch 159, § 1.