Hearing Screening Program

The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) provides assistance to hearing screening programs for preschool - school-age children. Workshops are held around the state to train interested individuals to perform basic hearing screening.

There is no charge for training. Please contact your regional coordinator for more information.

Who are the trained Screeners and the Specialists?

a. Physician - A medical doctor licensed to practice medicine in the United States.
b. Otologist (also referred to as ear, nose and throat specialist, otolaryngologist, or otorhino-laryngologist) - A physician who is a specialist in diseases of the ear and hearing mechanism and who is licensed to practice medicine in the State of Texas by the Texas Board of Medical Examiners.
c. Audiologist - A Person who holds a license issued by the State Commission of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology to practice as an audiologist in the State of Texas.
d. Speech/language pathologist - A person who holds a valid license issued by the State Commission of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology to practice as a speech/language pathologist in the State of Texas.
e. Hearing aid dispenser - A person who holds a valid license issued by the Texas Board of Examiners in the Fitting and Dispensing of Hearing Aids to fit and dispense hearing aids in the State of Texas.
  1. Trained Screeners - In Texas, individuals who screen children for hearing problems must be certified through DSHS unless their professional licenses permit such screening.
  2. Specialists - People who are educated or trained to perform many specialized services for the hearing impaired:

Contact Information

Department of State Health Services
Vision and Hearing Screening-Mail Code 1938
PO Box 149347 / Austin, Texas 78714-9347
1100 West 49th Street / Austin, Texas 78756-3199
Phone: 512-776-7420
Toll Free 1-800-252-8023 extension 7420 
Fax: 512-776-7256

Relay Texas: Dial 7-1-1 

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