Wisconsin Legislative Council
AMENDMENT MEMO
One Ea st Ma in Stre e t, Suite 401 • Ma dison, W I 53703 • (608) 266-1304 • le g.council@le gis.wisconsin.gov • http://www.le gis.wisconsin.gov/lc
Memo published: October 9, 2023 Contact: Steve McCarthy, Senior Staff Attorney
2023 Senate Bill 373 Senate Substitute Amendment 1
BACKGROUND
Generally, under state law, hearing aids must be provided by a licensed hearing instrument specialist or
a licensed audiologist. Under federal law, air-conduction hearing aids for use by adults may be
purchased over the counter without a prescription or the involvement of a licensed person. Also under
federal law, any hearing aid that does not meet the over-the-counter requirements requires a
prescription or order.
2023 SENATE BILL 373
Senate Bill 373 specifies that a license is not required to sell or fit over-the-counter hearing aids, as
defined under federal law. This generally allows over-the-counter hearing aids to be purchased without
a prescription or the involvement of a licensed person. The bill also removes the requirement that a
hearing instrument specialist must provide a receipt when supplying over-the-counter hearing aids.
SENATE SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1
In addition to what is included in the bill, Senate Substitute Amendment 1 updates the scope of practice
for hearing instrument specialists and audiologists to include ordering the use of hearing aids. The
amendment also removes the requirement that an audiologist must provide a receipt when supplying
over-the-counter hearing aids.
BILL HISTORY
Senator Cabral-Guevara offered Senate Substitute Amendment 1 on September 8, 2023. On October 4,
2023, the Senate Committee on Health recommended adoption of the amendment, and passage of the
bill, as amended, on votes of Ayes, 6; Noes, 0.
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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