Wisconsin Legislative Council
ACT 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
Prepared by: Steve McCarthy, Senior Staff Attorney December 14, 2023
2023 Wisconsin Act 82
[2023 Senate Bill 419]
Cerumen Management and
Practice of Fitting and Dealing
Hearing Aids
2023 WISCONSIN ACT 82
2023 Wisconsin Act 82 provides a process to certify hearing instrument specialists in cerumen
management, and modifies what conduct constitutes the practice of fitting and dealing in hearing aids.
Cerumen Management
The act requires the Hearing and Speech Examining Board (board) to issue certificates to hearing
instrument specialists to engage in the management of cerumen, which is defined in the act as a wax-
like secretion from glands in the external auditory canal.
To be certified to engage in cerumen management, the act requires that a hearing instrument specialist
must complete a course on cerumen management identified by the board. In identifying cerumen
management courses, the board must select cerumen management courses that consist of at least six
hours of instruction in removing cerumen from an ear canal using a variety of safe techniques and that
includes a final examination on proper cerumen management procedures.
The act also directs the board to promulgate rules to implement the cerumen management certification,
including rules to define the scope of cerumen management and to establish proper infection control
practices.
Practice of Fitting and Dealing Hearing Aids
Under current law, the practice of fitting and dealing in hearing aids is defined to mean the
measurement of human hearing by means of an audiometer or by any other means accepted by the
board solely for the purpose of making selections, adaptations, or sales of hearing aids intended to
compensate for impaired hearing. This act amends this definition to apply only to the selections,
adaptations, or sales of prescription hearing aids, and specifies that the practice of fitting and dealing in
hearing aids includes cerumen management in the course of examining ears, taking ear impressions, or
fitting prescription hearing aids by an individual who holds a certificate to engage in cerumen
management.
Effective date: December 8, 2023
For a full history of the bill, visit the Legislature’s bill history page.
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