Academy of Doctors of Audiology

Code of Ethics

PREAMBLE

The Code of Ethics of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology® has as its purpose the assurance of the highest quality of professional service rendered to those served. Each member of the Academy shall abide by this Code of Ethics. The six fundamental principles of this Code relate to each member’s responsibility to the welfare of those served, to professional standards, to products and services, to public information, and to professional growth and involvement.

PRINCIPLE I: To protect the welfare of persons served professionally

Rules:

  • Academy members shall use all resources, including those of other professionals, to provide the best possible service.
  • Members shall fully inform patients of the nature and possible results of services rendered and products sold.
    • Members shall not misrepresent benefits of any therapeutic procedure of professional services.
    • Members shall not misrepresent benefits from use of hearing instruments or other assistive listening products.
    • Members may make reasonable statements of prognosis for both products and services, but particular care must be taken not to mislead patients to expect results that cannot be predicted or expected.
    • Members shall not prescribe, fit or recommend products or services which are known, or suspected to be harmful to the patient’s hearing or well being without full disclosure to the patient.
  • Members shall inform patients of the recommended services or products and any reasonable alternatives in a manner which allows the patient to become involved in, and make informed, treatment decisions.
  • Members shall evaluate services and products rendered to determine effectiveness.
  • Members shall not release professional and personal information obtained from the patient without the written permission of the patient in accordance with applicable state and federal law.
  • Members shall not discriminate in the delivery of professional services on the basis of sex, marital status, age, religious preferences, nationality or race, or handicapping condition

PRINCIPLE II: To maintain high standards of professional competence, integrity, conduct and ethics

Rules:

  • Members shall provide only those clinical services for which appropriate licensure, certification or special training has been obtained.
  • Members shall state their professional credentials and provide supporting documentation on request.
  • Members shall engage in continuing professional education activities throughout their careers.
  • Members shall not permit clinical services to be provided by any staff member who is not properly prepared nor delegate services requiring the direct supervision of an audiologist to anyone unqualified to provide such services.
  • Member’s clinical judgment and practice must not be determined by economic interest in, commitment to or benefit from, professionally related commercial enterprises.
  • Members agree to govern their professional activities by this Code of Ethics. Unethical practice shall be any action that violates the spirit or letter of this Code of Ethics.
    • Members shall report to the Board of Directors of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (or to its designees) any violation of this code.
    • Members shall cooperate with any authorized inquiry or action the Board may undertake.
  • Members shall conduct business affairs in a manner consistent with all applicable state and federal regulations.

PRINCIPLE III: To maintain a professional demeanor in matters concerning the welfare of persons served

Rules:

  • Products associated with professional practice must be dispensed to the patient as part of a program of comprehensive habilitative care.
  • Members shall provide only those procedures, products and services that, according to the member’s best professional judgment, are in the best interests of the patient.
  • Members shall recommend products and services only after careful assessment and documentation of the patient’s physical, social, emotional and occupational needs.
  • Members must provide full disclosure of the fees/prices of products and services. This information must be disclosed by providing a comprehensive schedule of fees to the patient, to the best extent possible, in advance of providing services and products.

PRINCIPLE IV: To provide accurate information to persons served and to the public about the nature and management of auditory disorders and about the profession and services provided by its members

Rules:

  • Members must not misrepresent their training or competence.
  • Members’ public statements about services or products must not contain false, deceptive or misleading information.
  • Promotional activities used by members shall comply with applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations.

PRINCIPLE V: To engage in conduct which shall enhance the status of the profession

Rules:

  • Members must honor their responsibility to the public, their profession and their colleagues.
  • Members shall educate the public about hearing, hearing loss, and services and products which can benefit affected individuals.
  • Members shall educate the public about matters related to professional competence.
  • Member shall strive to increase knowledge within the profession and share such knowledge with colleagues.
  • Members shall establish harmonious relationships with professional colleagues and must not injure by false criticism, directly or indirectly, the character, qualifications, services, fees or products of another professional.

PRINCIPLE VI: To maintain ethical standards and practices of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology

Rules:

  • Members agree to govern their professional activities by this Code of Ethics.
  • Members agree to report to the Board of Directors for the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (or to its designees) any violations of the Code of Ethics, and to cooperate with any authorized inquiry or action the Board may undertake.