Audiometer Loan Program 

DSHS owns audiometers that are loaned to facilities to help them meet the requirements of the hearing screening law, Chapter 36 of the Health and Safety Code.

As defined by the program rules under Rule §37.22 Definitions (14):

Facility includes public and private preschools and schools, defined as follows:

(A) schools, as defined in Texas Health and Safety Code §36.003;

(B) preschools, as defined in Texas Health and Safety Code §36.003;

(C) child care centers licensed by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC); and

(D) child care homes licensed by HHSC.

DSHS also owns audiometers located in the regions for training and loan use.

The VHSS Program only loans DSHS equipment to certified screeners who do not charge a fee for screening.

Hearing screeners registered in Texas who perform free screenings may borrow an audiometer for 30 to 90 days. Once an audiometer is assigned to a facility and screener, they are fully responsible for the equipment until it is returned. The individual will agree to return it on the date indicated in the loan agreement and to insure it at their own expense. The audiometer(s) will be assigned to the individual and facility stated in the application.

Reminder: DSHS does not permit facilities or screeners to loan, transfer, or provide a borrowed audiometer to another facility. The audiometer is assigned only to the facility and screener(s) listed on the approved application, and those individuals remain responsible for the equipment until it is returned to DSHS.

A limited number of audiometers are available, so submit your application well in advance of your scheduled screening dates. Best practice is to apply at least 10 business days in advance so the application can be processed and approved.

Loan equipment is especially scarce during the fall semester, when schools conduct hearing screenings. During the months of September through November, some regions will have limited availability. Please reach out to your regional coordinator for more information.

Loans may also be limited during annual calibration periods, which are mandatory per ANSI standards.

Please contact the nearest Regional Coordinators | Texas DSHS. They will help you secure the audiometer loan in your area. If you're in an area where the position is vacant, please email VhssProgram@dshs.texas.gov to request the loan application.

An audiometer measures various aspects of a person's ability to hear. To measure hearing accurately and to ensure that all audiometers perform consistently, Texas law requires that they be calibrated annually.  

All DSHS-owned audiometers meet the standards for audiometer compliance per program rules under Rule §37.28 Hearing Screening Equipment Standards and Requirements.

A loan application form (F05-06832) must be completed to request an audiometer. The borrower must also complete a monthly hearing screening report form (AL-16), indicate the number of children screened, and submit it to their regional coordinator. View both forms F05-06832 and AL-16. [PDF 509 KB].

Once the form is completed and signed, please submit it to your regional coordinator for processing and approval. The DSHS point of contact will verify the requested dates and approve the loan period. They will contact the individual to schedule pickup or drop-off. Below is the expected schedule to consider when determining the timeframe for equipment use.

During the loan period, the facility and screener(s) are required to complete the Monthly Screening Report to notify the state of the month(s) the audiometer was used, the date, city, facility, screener, number of children screened, number of children referred, and overall totals. This form must be completed and returned with the audiometer. 

The Monthly Screening Report does not take the place of the annual report due by June 30.

Facilities that do not comply with Audiometer Loan Program requirements, including timely return of equipment and submission of required reporting forms, will receive timely notice of noncompliance and a formal warning. If the facility remains noncompliant after the warning, the facility will be formally notified that it is no longer eligible or permitted to participate in the loaner program.