(225 ILCS 50/4.5)
    (Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)
    Sec. 4.5. Hearing aids dispensed by prescription to persons age 17 or younger.
    (a) A hearing instrument professional may dispense a hearing aid to a person age 17 or younger in accordance with the requirements of this Section.
    (b) A hearing instrument professional shall not sell a prescription hearing aid to anyone age 17 or younger unless the prospective user has presented to the hearing instrument professional a written statement, signed by a licensed physician, that states that the patient's hearing loss has been medically evaluated and the patient is considered a candidate for a hearing aid. The medical evaluation must have been performed within the 6 months immediately preceding the date of the sale of the hearing aid to the prospective hearing aid user.
    (c) A person age 17 or younger must be medically evaluated in person by a physician before receiving a prescription for a hearing aid. The evaluation must have been performed within the 6 months immediately preceding the date that the hearing aid is dispensed.
    (d) Following a medical evaluation by a licensed physician, a licensed audiologist or a licensed physician other than the evaluating physician may prescribe a prescription hearing aid for an individual age 17 or younger. A person age 17 or younger may not waive the medical evaluation or receipt of a prescription from a licensed audiologist or a licensed physician unless the person is replacing a lost or stolen hearing aid that is subject to warranty replacement.
    (e) A hearing aid prescription for individuals age 17 or younger issued by a licensed audiologist or a licensed physician other than the evaluating physician must include, at a minimum, the following information:
        (1) name of the patient;
        (2) documentation of medical evaluation by a
    
physician;
        (3) date the prescription is issued;
        (4) expiration date of the prescription, which may
    
not exceed 6 months from the date of issuance;
        (5) name and license number of the prescribing
    
licensed audiologist or licensed physician;
        (6) results of the following assessments: (i)
    
age-appropriate pure-tone air conduction audiometry or results of auditory evoked potential testing, including, but not limited to, auditory brainstem response or otoacoustic emissions testing; (ii) bone conduction testing, as age appropriate; and (iii) recorded or live voice speech in quiet, as age appropriate;
        (7) documentation of type and style of hearing aid;
    
and
        (8) documentation of medical necessity of the
    
recommended features of a hearing aid.
(Source: P.A. 103-495, eff. 1-1-24.)