7. Scope + Red Flags

If the question feels like medicine → refer.

Your legal role as a hearing instrument specialist?

evaluate hearing for HA candidacy + fit hearing aids

You are NOT allowed to do what?

diagnose medical conditions

If anything looks or sounds medical?

REFER

Sudden hearing loss?

medical emergency → refer immediately 

Pain in ear?

refer

Drainage / blood?

refer

Dizziness / vertigo?

refer

Unexplained asymmetry between ears?

refer

Visible TM perforation?

refer

Hearing loss fluctuates dramatically?

refer

Child under 18 with suspected hearing disorder?

must involve physician / appropriate specialist

When in doubt between 2 answers — what do you choose on ILE?

the one that protects patient + stays within scope

Can you remove deep cerumen with curette?

no, anything invasive or painful = out of scope

Which phrase is a giant exam clue that you pick “REFERRAL'“?

“sudden”, “pain”, “discharge”, “blood”, “vertigo”, “asymmetry”