Post on 15-Mar-2021
I would like to welcome everyone to
this edition of the Ohio Speech and
Hearing Professional Board’s
eNewsletter. We have important
updates and information inside this
edition, such as licensure renewal and
telehealth guidelines issued by the
Ohio Department of Education for
school-based practitioners. During this
national health emergency, the Board
will maintain normal operations, such as
processing initial applications for
license, license renewals, investigating
Message from the Board President
Summer
eNewsletter
Message from the Executive Director
Welcome everyone, to this edition of the
Ohio Speech and Hearing Professional
Board’s eNewsletter. I hope everyone is
staying safe and healthy as all of us
continue to respond to COVID-19. As
the new school year is upon us, we have
important information to share from the
Ohio Department of Education
regarding services provided by our
school-based practitioners via
telehealth.
Our Board continues to collaborate with
various entities during this national
health emergency, such as the Ohio
Attorney General’s Office, Governor’s
Office, other state agencies such as
the Ohio Department of Administrative
Service, Ohio Department of Education,
Ohio Department of Health, Ohio
Department of Medicaid, Ohio State
Medical Board, and the National
Council of State Boards of Examiners
for Speech-Language Pathology and
Audiology, to name just a few. I would
like to remind you to visit our website
for the latest information regarding
Ohio’s preparedness to the COVID-19
pandemic. As we approach the license
renewal period, we have included
information about continuing education
resources that are available online.
I realize we are still persevering
through disruptions, challenges, and
situations related to this crisis. On
behalf of the Board, I would like to,
once again, express our appreciation for
(Continued on next page)
August 31, 2020
O h i o S p e e c h a n d H e a r i n g P r o f e s s i o n a l s B o a r d
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Message from the Board
President - p. 1
Message from the Executive
Director - p. 1
Updating Your Contact Info. - p. 2
Licensure Statistics - p. 3
Licensure Renewal - p. 3
ODE’s Committee of Practitioners - p. 3
Hearing Test Procedures - p.4
ODE Telehealth Guidelines - p.4
Board Operations - pg, 5-6
COVID-19 Considerations for Masks in
the School Setting - pg. 6-9
COVID-19 Considerations for Profes-
sionals Working with Adults - pg. 9-11
COVID-19 Updates & Resources - p. 12
Board Thanks Helen Mayle - p.12
Continuing Education Update - p. 13
CE Broker - p. 13
Continuing Education Resources - p.13
Summer/Fall Calendar - p. 14
Ask the Board - p. 14
(Continued on next page)
Board Members:
Board President:
Tammy H. Brown, M.A., CCC-A, FAAA,
Board Certified in Audiology
Board Secretary:
Barbara L. Prakup, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Lisa Dodge Burton, Public Member
Karen Mitchell, Au.D., CCC-A
Michael R. Pratt, H.A.S.
Ann M. Slone, M.A., CCC-SLP
Carrie Spangler, Au.D., CCC-A
Matthew Starner, H.A.S.
Page 2
Message from the Board President
(continued from page 1)
Has your contact
information
changed?
Updating your contact
information is now a
self-service process in
the new eLicense Ohio
system. See the update
inside this edition for
details on how to
register and access your
license through your
new eLicense Ohio
dashboard.
All licensees are
required to update any
change of name, place of
business, or mailing
address within thirty
days of said change.
Message from the Executive Director
(continued from page 1)
Important
Information
Board’s Contact Information
Vern Riffe Center for
Government & the Arts
77 South High Street, Suite 1659
Columbus, Ohio 43215-6108
Phone: 614-466-3145
Fax: 614-995-2286
E-mail: board@shp.ohio.gov
Office Hours:
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday
Board office is closed during
observance of state holidays
complaints, and responding to inquir-
ies. If you have a question, issue, or
concern, please do not hesitate to con-
tact us. We remain committed to
providing the highest level of service
to all of our constituents during this
national health emergency.
We are posting regular updates on our
website as well as our Facebook page,
and this will be the best way to find
information and resources. Addition-
ally, we are sharing information and
links for other state agencies that may
impact our professions, such as the
Ohio Department of Education, Ohio
Department of Health, etc.
We invite you to visit our homepage at
www.shp.ohio.gov, and also visit us on
Facebook to stay updated throughout
the year.
If you recently contacted the Board for
services or information, please take a
moment to complete our customer ser-
vice survey and let us know your opin-
ion about that experience.
Best Regards,
Gregg B. Thornton, Esq.
Executive Director
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:
• Reminder: Board and
Committee meetings are open
to the public.
• Public comment is welcome at
all Board meetings.
• Please visit our website at
www.shp.ohio.gov for the
latest updates and information.
everything that each of you are doing to
ensure that the health and welfare of your
patients, clients, and students are being
met. You are indeed essential in this day
of discovering and developing new ways
for communicating in the ever emerging
pandemic circumstances! If you are using
social media, please “Like” our Facebook
page and accept notifications to ensure
you will receive the latest up-
dates. Our board staff continues to
work remotely and are available to assist
with any questions.
We will get through this challenging
time and be a stronger community of pro-
fessionals and collaborators for healthy
consumers.
Sincerely,
Tammy H. Brown, M.A., CCC-A, FAAA,
Board Certified in Audiology
Board President
O h i o S p e e c h a n d H e a r i n g P r o f e s s i o n a l s B o a r d
Licensure Renewal Period: October 2 - December 31, 2020 For Audiologists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Aides,
Hearing Aid Dealers, and Hearing Aid Fitters
During the week of September 28, 2020, license renewal letters will be mailed to all individuals whose
license will expire at midnight on December 31, 2020. The license renewal period begins on October 2,
2020 and runs through midnight on December 31, 2020. Licensed audiologists, speech-language
pathologists, dual licensees, aides, hearing aid dealers, and hearing aid fitters will receive their renewal letter
in the mail the week of September 28th and can renew their
license beginning October 2, 2020, online through the eLicense
Ohio license management system. In order to maximize cost
efficiencies, licenses must be renewed online through eLicense
Ohio. The Board will not be able to respond to any requests for a
paper renewal application or accept checks or money orders
submitted through the mail. Paper renewal applications will not
be available from the Board’s website. The Board will
periodically send reminders via e-mail to anyone who has not yet
renewed their license. Be sure to “Like” our Facebook page in
order to receive our updates. Licensure renewal information is
also available on the Board’s home page at: www.shp.ohio.gov.
Ohio Department of Education’s Ohio Committee of Practitioners The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) is now accepting
applications from school-based speech-language pathologists and
educational audiologists to serve on its Ohio Committee of
Practitioners. The committee is a requirement under section 1903
of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The
purpose of the committee is to help inform the work of the Ohio
Department of Education on its implementation of federal
education laws and regulations. ODE informed us that related
service providers, such as school-based speech-language
pathologists and educational audiologists are encouraged to
submit an application to serve on this committee. More
information about the committee, including an application, is
available on ODE’s website at: http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/
District-and-School-Continuous-Improvement/Federal-Programs/
Elementary-and-Secondary-Education-Act/Committee-of-
Practitioners.
Summer eNewsletter Page 3
Licensure Statistics
As of August 5, 2020
Audiologists: 1094
Audiology Aides: 89
Conditional SLPs: 327
Dual-Aud. & SLP 33
Hearing Aid Dealers: 232
Hearing Aid Satellites: 386
Hearing Aid Fitters: 466
Inactive Audiology: 54
Inactive Speech-Language Path.: 295
Speech-Language Pathologists: 7983
SLP Aides: 5
Trainee Permit Holders 51
Total Licenses: 11,015
OSHPB Staff:
Executive Director:
Gregg B. Thornton, Esq.
gregg.thornton@shp.ohio.gov
Investigator:
Connie J. Allen
connie.allen@shp.ohio.gov
Licensing Administrator:
Brandy R. Thomas
brandy.thomas@shp.ohio.gov
Administrative Professional:
Amanda Townsend
amanda.townsend@shp.ohio.gov
Principal Assistant Attorney General:
Cheryl R. Hawkinson, Esq.
O h i o S p e e c h a n d H e a r i n g P r o f e s s i o n a l s B o a r d
Hearing Test Procedures During COVID-19 - Important Reminder
With Ohio’s Stay-At-Home order now lifted, Ohioans, including businesses,
governmental entities, and schools, are implementing responsible restart plans to
resume daily activities and services. During the Stay-At-Home order that went into
effect on March 23 and expired on May 29, 2020, certain exceptions allowed
individuals to leave their residence to work for or obtain essential services. This
exception included all individuals licensed under our Board’s Ohio Revised and
Administrative Code Chapters 4744, 4747, and 4753. The Board received inquiries
regarding whether or not in-person testing requirements for the dispending of hearing aids were waived due
to Ohio’s Stay-At-Home order issued in response to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The Board
addressed this question in its special edition eNewsletter released in May, clarifying that the measurement
and testing of human hearing is a requirement for the fitting and sale of a hearing aid.
Even though the Stay-At-Home order is lifted, the Board would like to remind licensees that appropriate test
procedures must continue to be followed. In Ohio, for an audiologist, the measurement and testing of human
hearing by means of an audiometer or by any other means is a requirement for the purpose of selecting,
adapting, and selling a hearing aid to any person. Best practice would include an otoscopic examination.
For a hearing aid fitter, the rules specifically state the required hearing tests that shall be completed before
recommending, selling or fitting of a hearing aid. A screening for hearing loss does not meet the Board’s
rules/requirements for selecting, adapting, and selling of a hearing aid.
Ohio Department of Education Issues Telehealth Guidelines For Service Providers The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) issued telehealth guidelines for service providers, which includes
school-based speech-language pathologists and educational audiologists. As ODE noted, “One of Ohio’s top
priorities is to support the mental health and well-being of all Ohio’s students.” The Board’s school-based
practitioners must hold an ODE Pupil Service License in order to deliver appropriate services to students
with disabilities. During the spring 2020 ordered school-building closure period as a result of the COVID-19
pandemic, schools remotely supported continued learning and related services virtually when feasible. As
schools reopen, whether remote, in-person, or using a hybrid approach, school-based practitioners will face
important considerations when providing related services via telehealth to meet students’ needs. The Board
addresses telehealth communication for audiologists and speech-language pathologists under Ohio
Administrative Code Chapter 4753-2. ODE’s telehealth guidelines addresses other important considerations
for school-based practitioners, such as permission forms, telehealth platforms, privacy and confidentiality
considerations, to name just a few. ODE has addressed these considerations in the form of FAQs, which the
Board urges all school-based practitioners to review at the following link: http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/
Reset-and-Restart/Telehealth-Guidelines-for-Service-Providers. You will also find related resources
addressing Students with Disabilities Guidance, Additional Considerations for Special Education, and
Students with Disabilities Compendium of Resources.
Summer eNewsletter Page 4
O h i o S p e e c h a n d H e a r i n g P r o f e s s i o n a l s B o a r d
Board Operations During COVID-19 - Update
Board Operations
All staff and operations of the licensure board continue without interruption and will be available remotely.
Licensure applications will continue to be processed as usual and complaints will continue to be investigated.
Board staff will be available to answer telephone calls and e-mails during our normal business hours, e.g.,
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Board members are accessible when necessary to assist staff with
responding to any questions. You can contact the Board at (614) 466-3145 (select option #2) or via e-mail at:
board@shp.ohio.gov.
Update for Summer and Winter Graduates
ETS - Praxis Exam
Individuals graduating from the university programs, who intend to practice in Ohio, should submit their
application to the Board approximately 4-6 weeks prior to their graduation date. ETS has resumed the
PRAXIS exam; however depending on the situation due to COVID-19, candidates may be offered alternative
options to take the exam remotely. Applicants should contact ETS directly for more information at: https://
www.ets.org/.
Written and Practical Exams for Hearing Aid Fitters
The Board has resumed administering its written and practical exam for hearing aid fitters and is following
all health and safety protocols. Candidates will be contacted by the Board’s Licensing Administrator and
provided with appropriate information when scheduling their exam.
Criminal Background Checks
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office oversees the FBI and BCI criminal background check that is required
for initial licensure. Web-check entities, such as police departments, county sheriff's office, and authorized
web-check entities are not closed, but operating under greatly reduced hours due to COVID-19. We
recommend that applicants visit the Ohio Attorney General's website for information on locating an
authorized web-check vendor in their area at: https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Business/Services-for-
Business/WebCheck/Webcheck-Community-Listing. The Attorney General's Office is recommending that
applicants call ahead before traveling to any location to verify they are providing fingerprinting services at
this time. Many web-check locations are open but observing limited hours and have specific restrictions in
order to adhere to social distancing requirements. If you cannot find a location in your county, you may find
better results by calling an authorized web-check entity in a surrounding county.
Service Requests
Until further notice, the Board will process service requests in eLicense for wall certificates and license
verification letters electronically. Anyone submitting these requests will receive an e-mail with the item(s)
attached.
Complaints
During this period, the Board requests that complaints not be sent via mail to the board office. Complaints
should be submitted through the complaint portal in the eLicesne Ohio license management system at:
https://elicense.ohio.gov/oh_filecomplaint.
Summer eNewsletter Page 5
O h i o S p e e c h a n d H e a r i n g P r o f e s s i o n a l s B o a r d
Board Operations During COVID-19 - Update
(continued)
The Board is requesting that any correspondence be sent to its e-mail address at: board@shp.ohio.gov. If it
is necessary to send correspondence to the Board’s mailing address, it should be sent via regular mail and not
require a signature. Staff members will not be in the office as frequently to sign for packages and letters that
require a signature for delivery.
Important Considerations for Masks in the School Setting By Carrie L. Spangler, Au.D., CCC-A
Since the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen many changes to how schools will reopen
this upcoming fall. We are #InThisTogetherOhio fellow speech language pathologists and audiologists!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the state of Ohio, and our local health departments
continue to provide critical information about how to protect yourself and others from developing COVID-
19 including:
• Wash your hands often
• Avoid close contact (6 feet physical distancing)
• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Clean and disinfect
• Monitor your health
As speech language pathologists and audiologists look to return to the schools, bullet points two and three
present multiple challenges to both the student and the speech language pathologist and audiologists.
Balancing safety with accessibility requires all of us to be creative, flexible, and ready to adjust as school
plans change and more information becomes available.
Specifically, the challenges the pandemic has caused for students with hearing loss and diverse learners are
largely attributed to several factors. Physical distancing leads to listeners and talkers being twice as far apart
resulting in a 6 decibel or more loss of sound making it harder to listen to speech. Masks can filter and
attenuate (reduces) speech sounds which impacts a student’s listening intelligibility in the classroom.
Access to auditory and visual cues (of the face) is paramount to learning in the classroom. In fact, speaking
and listening are the primary communication modes in auditory learning environments, where children are
involved in listening activities for approximately 75% of their school day. Visual characteristics of
instruction include facial expressions and lip movements that provide important contextual information about
the message (e.g., emotion, emphasis).
Summer eNewsletter Page 6
O h i o S p e e c h a n d H e a r i n g P r o f e s s i o n a l s B o a r d
Important Considerations for Masks in the
School Setting By Carrie L. Spangler, Au.D., CCC-A
(Continued)
Research shows that students with the following characteristics are at-risk for learning in poor acoustical
environments (mask degradation); lack of visual access and non-verbal incidental cues further compounds
learning difficulties for many of these students.
• Young children (less that age 15 due to immature auditory brain development)
• Conductive hearing loss/ear infections
• Sensorineural hearing loss (bilateral and unilateral and all degrees of loss)
• Language and speech disorders
• Learning disability or dyslexia
• English as a second language
• Auditory processing deficit
• Developmental delays
• Attention deficits
• Autism spectrum disorder
COVID-19 has sent us all on a journey that we did not anticipate or foresee. As speech language
pathologists and audiologists, we need to be armed with the facts and provide important learning information
to the schools. Additional emphasis on personal hearing/visual technology will be required due to pandemic
challenges. Below are some possible solutions to help students as the schools reopen.
Clear Masks and Shields
The CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-
guidance.html) recognizes that wearing masks may not be possible in every situation or for some people.
Adaptations and alternatives should be considered whenever possible to increase the feasibility of wearing a
mask or to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading if it is not possible to wear one. Ohio also recognizes this
in the COVID-19 Health and Prevention Guidance for Ohio’s K-12 Schools and the CDC recognizes this in
its online document for Considerations for Wearing Masks.
In the CDC document, a specific example states: “People who are deaf or hard of hearing—or those who
care for or interact with a person who is hearing impaired—may be unable to wear masks if they rely on
lipreading to communicate. In this situation, consider using a “clear mask”. It should be noted that some
clear mask options degrade speech more than others.
Summer eNewsletter Page 7
O h i o S p e e c h a n d H e a r i n g P r o f e s s i o n a l s B o a r d
Important Considerations for Masks in the
School Setting By Carrie L. Spangler, Au.D., CCC-A
(Continued)
When working with students who are deaf or hard of hearing and determining face coverings, it is important
to work closely with that student. Does your student rely more on auditory input, visual input, or both?
How will the student access communication with his peers? Can the student safely put on and remove his
mask with hearing technology? If the student uses an interpreter, what face covering gives the best access to
the teacher and interpreter?
Clear masks or face shields as a health/safety option would give all students, especially those who are
diverse learners, access to more auditory and facial cues.
Visual Supports When masks are in use, it is critical for students who have hearing loss and diverse needs to have access to
more visual supports. Some suggestions might include:
• Gain visual attention (even though may not be able to see whole face, it helps with focus)
• Write directions on board or provide written directions as handout/electronically
• Assign a note taker
• Use daily agendas
• Consider captioning
• Record important lessons without a mask and show in class to allow for better facial/visual cues
Auditory Supports An improved signal to noise ratio (classroom amplification and remote microphones) is an accommodation
that has proven effective when talking through a mask and at extended physical distance. For students with
diagnosed hearing loss and auditory processing deficits, be sure to contact your educational audiologist to
ensure the appropriate remote microphone technology is in place and programmed appropriately to
accommodate for masks. For ALL students and teachers, consider the use of a classroom amplification
system to overcome the impact of masks, physical distancing, vocal fatigue, and inadequate acoustics. In
addition, reducing as much background noise as possible will increase ability to hear and understand
auditory information.
Planned Listening Breaks Listening through masked conditions takes extra effort and concentration. Teachers will also be projecting
and repeating spoken information more frequently causing vocal fatigue. Incorporating planned listening
breaks throughout the day will help with anticipated increase in listening fatigue.
Summer eNewsletter Page 8
O h i o S p e e c h a n d H e a r i n g P r o f e s s i o n a l s B o a r d
Important Considerations for Masks in the
School Setting By Carrie L. Spangler, Au.D., CCC-A
(Continued)
Additional Accommodations Masks and physical distancing will present additional challenges that might not have been present pre-
COVID in the classroom and remote setting. In addition, schools have talked about moving learning to the
outdoors introducing wind noise, traffic, and other outdoor distractions. Additional assistive technology and
accommodations may be necessary for access to the curriculum (in person, remote, and hybrid). Additional
accommodations may include increased visual supports, personal amplification, speech-to-text, written
instructions, adequate lighting, reducing glare, pre-teaching, listening checks, adjustments to hearing
technology (mask program for listening), social emotional learning support, increased self-advocacy training.
Additional accommodations need to also be considered for virtual learning and access.
Final Thoughts Remember we are all #InThisTogetherOhio! It is important to take care of yourself, be patient, be flexible,
be creative, and collaborate with others during these uncertain times.
COVID-19: Considerations for Professionals Working with Adults By Barbara L. Prakup, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Since the first known case of COVID 19 in the United States was identified in January of 2020, we continue
to learn a great deal about the symptomatology, course and some of the sequelae of this disease. Although
there is much more to learn, as more information is gained from patients who have suffered from this
disease, we have become increasingly aware that COVID 19 can have effects on speech, swallowing and
hearing function in adults. Originally, it was thought that this disease was primarily a respiratory ailment.
The symptoms associated with COVID 19 initially included fever, cough, shortness of breath and flu-like
symptoms. As the number of cases increased, patients diagnosed with COVID-19 presented with an
increasing number of symptoms. According to the most recent information update from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the list of symptoms can include, in addition to the previously listed
symptoms, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste (ageusia) or smell (anosmia), sore
throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html. Based on our evolving knowledge of symptomatology and sequelae
of COVID-19, it is important for our licensees to remain informed about the acute and chronic challenges
facing individuals with this disease. In particular, it is important for speech-language pathologists in the
acute, long-term, home health and outpatient settings to advocate for our patients to meet their immediate
and long-term needs following this disease.
Summer eNewsletter Page 9
O h i o S p e e c h a n d H e a r i n g P r o f e s s i o n a l s B o a r d
COVID-19: Considerations for Professionals
Working with Adults By Barbara L. Prakup, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
(Continued)
Health and Safety Considerations
According to research evidence gathered by the CDC, the elderly population can be particularly vulnerable
to COVID-19, especially elderly individuals affected by certain medical conditions such as heart disease,
cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes and other disorders
that can affect the elderly population. Information regarding the evidence suggesting increased risk from
COVID-19 is presented here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/evidence-
table.html. It is imperative that licensees be well informed regarding these health factors that affect safety
for our consumers. Learning about and following all safety and infection control guidelines and
recommendations is the first step in keeping everyone safe and healthy.
Keeping our consumers and ourselves safe from COVID-19 is everyone’s primary concern. Good infection
control procedures are the most effective way to maximize safety. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) has provided numerous resources that licensees can utilize to understand and
communicate good infection control practices which can be found here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control.html. Information regarding COVID-19
has been specifically prepared for healthcare providers by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and can be
found at this website: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/healthcare-providers-and-local-
health-districts/. Each of these websites offers resources that healthcare providers can use to learn more and
gain updates on the latest research and data as well as information and resources that can be provided to
adult clients and their families to keep them informed. In addition to these resources, it is essential that our
licensees in the State of Ohio remain up to date on all public health orders issued regarding COVID-19 in
order to be in compliance with best practices for our state. Public Health orders are available by visiting this
website: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/resources/public-health-orders/public-health-
orders. Additional information and resources are available from the American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association (ASHA): https://www.asha.org/SLP/healthcare/Research-Articles-Related-to-SLP-Services-in-
Health-Care-During-COVID-19/, American Academy of Audiology: https://www.audiology.org/practice-
management/covid-19-resources, and the International Hearing Society: http://ihsinfo.org/covid-19/.
Summer eNewsletter Page 10
O h i o S p e e c h a n d H e a r i n g P r o f e s s i o n a l s B o a r d
COVID-19: Considerations for Professionals
Working with Adults By Barbara L. Prakup, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
(Continued)
Practical Considerations When working with the adult population, there is a need to consider the effect that use of proper personal
protective equipment (PPE) will have on the delivery of services. Use of masks when working with people
with communication disorders distorts the speech of the care provider and eliminates the visual modality of
processing that people rely on to adequately process speech. Some potential solutions that can minimize this
communication barrier with people with hearing impairment are listed below:
Please read the companion article in this newsletter written by Dr. Carrie Spangler. It presents additional
information regarding visual and auditory supports that can be provided to people with hearing impairments
in consideration of the measures that we must take to protect our consumers from COVID-19.
Summary The COVID-19 pandemic presents serious challenges to all of us. The Mission of the Ohio Speech and
Hearing Professionals Board is to protect consumers by regulating the practice of audiology, hearing aid
dealing, fitting and dispensing, and speech-language pathology by establishing, promoting, and enforcing
practice standards and professional competency among licensees pursuant to Chapters 4744, 4747, and 4753
of the Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Administrative Code. As part of the board’s mission to protect
consumers, the Ohio Speech and Hearing Professionals Board provides a link and telephone contact
information to access constantly updated information regarding COVID-19 in the State of Ohio which can be
found here: https://shp.ohio.gov/. Information found here can serve as a helpful resource to licensees as we
strive to provide the best care for our patients or clients.
Summer eNewsletter Page 11
Communication Barrier Potential Solution
Mask distorts care provider’s speech Decrease rate of speech
Increase articulatory precision
Mask eliminates visual speech cues Use clear masks and face shields
Provide visual supports (captioned/printed material)
Ambient noise (TV, radio, noisy environment) Decrease background noise as much as possible
Turn off or mute the television
Move to a quiet area
Close the door to the treatment room
O h i o S p e e c h a n d H e a r i n g P r o f e s s i o n a l s B o a r d
COVID-19 Updates and Resources
Visit: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/
for the latest information and updates about Ohio’s
preparedness to COVID-19.
Board thanks Helen Mayle for her service The Board would like to thank Helen Mayle for her service as a public board member. Ms. Mayle was first
appointed to the Ohio Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology in June of 2014 to complete the
remaining term of public board member Elizabeth Tracy, who accepted a board appointment to the Ohio
Ethics Commission. Ms. Mayle was reappointed by then Governor John R. Kasich to a full term in
September 2016. Ms. Mayle completed her term on January 20, 2018, when the former board was
consolidated with the Ohio Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Licensing Board. On January 21, 2018, Ms.
Mayle was appointed by Governor Kasich to the newly created Ohio Speech and Hearing Professionals
Board. She completed a one year staggered term appointment and was appointed by Governor DeWine in
March 2019 and served until June 2020. During the six years that Ms. Mayle served on the Board, she
advocated for consumer protection in the professions. She was extensively involved on several committees
and workgroups, including the Ohio Department of Health’s Universal Newborn Infant and Hearing
Subcommittee, Ohio Department of Education Related Service Provider Workgroup, Rules Committee, and
Professional Competency Committee. She was also very active with the National Association of State
Boards of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and attended several annual
conferences that addressed professional and consumer protection issues in the audiology and speech-
language pathology professions. Ms. Mayle attended numerous board presentations at state association
conferences and personally addressed questions from the public board member perspective. She was very
involved with the school SLP shortage and workload/caseload issues, and accompanied the Board’s
Executive Director for meetings with school administrators to discuss the impact of the workload
determination process to speech-language pathologists and audiologists. She was involved in many board
sponsored ethics trainings. Ms. Mayle also attended conferences sponsored by the Hearing Healthcare
Alliance of Ohio and provided her perspective for issues impacting consumers receiving services from
hearing aid dealers and hearing aid fitters. The Board wishes Ms. Mayle all the best with her future
endeavors.
Summer eNewsletter Page 12
Stay Updated and Informed - Ohio’s Preparedness to COVID-19
In addition to visiting coronavirus.ohio.gov or calling 1-833-4-ASK-ODH, you may also visit the
Board’s website and Facebook page to stay updated with the latest information about Ohio’s prepared-
ness to COVID-19, including orders issued by Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of
Health.
• Board website: https://shp.ohio.gov/
• Board’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OhioSpeechandHearingProfessionalsBoard/
(Be sure to “Like” our Facebook page to receive notifications when posted.)
O h i o S p e e c h a n d H e a r i n g P r o f e s s i o n a l s B o a r d
Continuing Education and Ethics Requirement Reminder
Continuing Education & Ethics Resources Available at: http://shp.ohio.gov/ce-ethics
The Board would like to remind all licensees about their respective continuing
education requirements.
Requirements for Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists
Audiologists and speech-language pathologists are required to complete twenty
hours of continuing education, including two hours related to ethics pursuant to Ohio
Administrative Code section 4753-4-01. At least ten hours of continuing education must be specific to the
clinical practice in the area the person is licensed. A licensee is not required to obtain continuing education
for the first renewal. Licensed audiologists and speech-language pathologists required to complete
continuing education have until December 31, 2020 to complete their hours.
Requirements for Hearing Aid Fitters
Hearing aid fitters are now required to complete twenty hours of continuing education, including two hours
related to ethics pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code section 4747-1-11. Continuing education clock hours
must be acquired in subjects related to hearing aid fitting or audiology. A licensee is not required to obtain
continuing education for the first renewal. Licensed hearing aid fitters required to complete continuing
education have until December 31, 2020 to complete their hours.
CE Broker - Sign-up Today! Please visit the Board’s website at: http://shp.ohio.gov/continuing-education to sign-up with CE Broker, the
licensure board’s official continuing education tracking system and begin the easy process of reporting your CE
hours. Several thousand licensees are now signed-up and tracking their continuing education hours. CE Broker
is available to licensees on a voluntary basis. Licensees may register for a free basic account. Additional
information is also available from CE Broker’s website at: https://cebroker.com/oh/plans.
Benefits of reporting your continuing education to CE Broker
• Track your continuing education hours required to renew your Ohio license
• Know precisely how many hours you’ve completed and how many hours are remaining
• Exemption from a continuing education audit once your 20 hours are reported
• Searchable courses
Continuing Education Resources The Board would like to remind licensees that there are many opportunities to obtain continuing education hours
virtually, with many providers offering content for free or at discounted rates. All twenty of the required
continuing education hours, including the two hours related to ethics, can be obtained virtually/online as long as
there is a post-test component for the program. Up to ten hours may be completed virtually/online without a post-
test component. You can visit the Board’s website for a list of continuing education resources. Please note that
the Board does not endorse or is affiliated with any continuing education provider or maintain the websites posted
on this page.
Summer eNewsletter Page 13
Page 14
What is the best way to receive
information from the Board during
this emergency?
The best way to stay informed is to visit
our board website at:
https://www.shp.ohio.gov or “Like” us
on our Facebook page. We are posting
updates on Ohio’s preparedness to
COVID-19 on a regular basis from
Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio
Department of Health, Ohio Department
of Education, and other state agencies as
their information is received.
Ask the Board:
OSHPB SUMMER/FALL
CALENDAR—2020
September 1 Application Review and Approval
September 7 State Holiday - Labor Day - Board Office Closed
September 15 Application Review and Approval
September 22 Board Committee Meeting
October 1 Application Review and Approval
October 7 Board and Committee Meetings
October 12 State Holiday - Columbus Day - Board Office Closed
October 15 Application Review and Approval
November 2 Application Review and Approval
November 11 State Holiday - Veteran’s Day - Board Office Closed
November 16 Application Review and Approval
November 26 State Holiday - Thanksgiving Day - Board Office Closed
December 1 Application Review and Approval
December 7 Board and Committee Meetings
December 15 Application and Review Approval
Reminder - On December 31, 2020 licenses will expire for aides, audiologists, hearing aid dealers,
hearing aid fitters, and speech-language pathologists. The Board will mail a licensure renewal
letter to licensees beginning the week of September 28, 2020. The licensees will be able to review
their license via their eLicense Ohio account beginning on October 2, 2020.
Note: Board & Committee meeting dates are subject to change. Visit our website to confirm dates.
Please visit the Board’s website at www.shp.ohio.gov for the specific time and location of the Board and committee
meetings. In addition, you may also download the Board’s agenda and meeting minutes.
Please note that this calendar is subject to change without notice.
Regular Feature
Frequently asked questions will appear in each quarterly newsletter.
The Board is on Facebook. Please visit
our Facebook page at: https://
www.facebook.com/
OhioSpeechandHearingProfessionals-
Board/ or by clicking on the icon above
and “Like” us to receive our notifications
and information.