The Audiology Practice Standards Organization is inviting all US audiologists to weigh in on a proposed national standard for audiology assistants, with a public comment period running Oct 26–Nov 6, 2026.
The Audiology Practice Standards Organization (APSO) has announced that a newly drafted standard for audiology assistants will open for public review and comment on Oct 26, 2026, remaining open through Nov 6, 2026. The move represents an effort to bring greater consistency to a role that currently lacks uniform guidelines across the United States.
According to APSO, audiology assistants have the potential to release audiologists from routine tasks that do not require clinical decision-making and increase efficiency of clinical operations — yet there is very little standardization across the US for the practices and scope of the audiology assistant.
A Cross-Organizational Effort
To develop the standard, APSO collaborated with several major professional organizations, including the American Academy of Audiology, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, the Association of VA Audiologists, and the Military Audiology Association. Representatives from these organizations partnered with additional at-large subject matter experts to provide expertise across virtually all areas of the discipline. Two groups of subject matter experts participated in drafting the standard before it was cleared for public review.
How to Participate
All US audiologists are encouraged to review the proposed standard and submit comments. APSO asks that reviewers provide evidence-based comments that include a rationale for any suggested edits, noting that all comments are read by subject matter experts and considered in creating the final draft of the standard.
The standard and comment submission portal can be accessed at audiologystandards.org/standards/index.php or by visiting audiologystandards.org and clicking “Standards” at the top of the page.
APSO is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to developing and maintaining practice standards in audiology. Its standards are developed by recognized subject matter experts, are subject to public review by all practicing audiologists, and are freely accessible to audiologists and the public. The organization has previously opened standards covering areas including tinnitus, cerumen management, pediatric intake, and hearing aid fitting for public comment.
