§34-28A-1. Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings respectively ascribed by this section:

(1) ASSOCIATION. The Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama.

(2) AUDIOLOGIST. An individual who practices audiology and who presents himself or herself to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words audiologist, hearing clinician, hearing therapist, or any similar title or description of service.

(3) AUDIOLOGY. The application of principles, methods, and procedures or measurement, testing, evaluation, prediction, consultation, counseling, instruction, habilitation, or rehabilitation related to hearing and disorders of hearing for the purpose of evaluating, identifying, preventing, ameliorating, or modifying such disorders and conditions in individuals or groups of individuals, or both, and may include, but is not limited to, consultation regarding noise control and hearing conservation, as well as evaluation of noise environments and calibration of measuring equipment used for such purposes. For the purpose of this subdivision the words "habilitation" and "rehabilitation" include, but are not limited to, hearing aid evaluation and application, preparation of ear impressions, auditory training, and speech reading.

(4) BOARD. The Alabama Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology established under Section 34-28A-40.

(5) PERSON. Any individual, organization, or corporate body. Only an individual may be licensed under this chapter.

(6) SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST. Any person who examines, evaluates, remediates, uses preventive measures, or counsels persons suffering or suspected of suffering from disorders or conditions affecting speech or language. A person is deemed to be a speech-language pathologist when he or she practices speech pathology and/or if he or she offers those services to the public under any title incorporating the words "speech pathology," "speech pathologist," "speech-language pathology," "speech-language pathologist," "speech correction," "speech correctionist," "speech therapy," "speech therapist," "speech clinic," "speech clinician," "voice therapist," "language therapist," "aphasia therapist," "communication disorders specialist," "communication therapist," or any similar title or description of service.

(7) SPEECH PATHOLOGY or SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY. The application of principles, methods, and procedures for the measurement, testing, evaluation, prediction, counseling, instruction, habilitation, or rehabilitation related to the development and disorders of speech, voice, or language for the purpose of evaluating, preventing, ameliorating, or modifying such disorders and conditions in individuals or groups of individuals, or both.

(8) SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT and AUDIOLOGY ASSISTANT. Those persons meeting the minimum qualifications that may be established by the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and who work directly under the supervision of a speech-language pathologist or audiologist, respectively. The qualifications for registration as an assistant shall be less than those prescribed for a speech-language pathologist or audiologist.

(Acts 1975, 4th Ex. Sess., No. 90, p. 2756, §2; Acts 1997, No. 97-160, p. 218, §3.)