Code of Ethics
If you are concerned that there has been a member violation of the GAA code of Ethics, please report this violation to us via emailing us at [email protected]
GAA Code of Ethics
The Code of Ethics of the Georgia Academy of Audiology (GAA) stipulates a core of principles and rules to ensure that all audiologists adhere to the highest professional standards in the discharge of the responsibilities to the general public whom they serve, and that the highest level of integrity and ethics, which is paramount to the discharge of those services and the practice of the profession, is maintained. When becoming a member of the Academy, it is understood that every individual agrees to uphold the principles and rules established in this document.
Principles and Rules
Principle 1. Members shall hold paramount the welfare of individuals they serve. They shall provide professional services and conduct research with honesty and compassion, and shall treat animals involved in research in a humane manner.
Rule 1a. Individuals shall not limit the delivery of professional services on any basis that is unjustifiable or irrelevant to the need for the potential benefit from such services.
Rule 1b. Individuals shall not discriminate in the delivery of professional services or the conduct of research and scholarly activities on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, or general health.
Rule 1c. Individuals shall not provide clinical services solely by correspondence.
Rule 1d. Individuals may engage in the practice of telehealth where permitted by law.
Rule 1e. Individuals shall maintain and appropriately secure records of professional services rendered, research and scholarly activities conducted and products dispensed. Access to such records may be provided only when authorized or when required by law.
Rule 1f. Individuals shall not reveal any professional or personal information about persons being served professionally or participating in research or scholarly activities unless authorized or required by law or unless such action is necessary to protect the welfare of the person or community.
Rule 1g. Individuals shall first obtain full informed consent from any patient or guardian before engaging in investigational procedures either for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, or in the collection of research data or scholarly activities.
Rule 1h. Individuals shall seek professional assistance whenever their professional services are affected by substance abuse or any general health condition and shall refrain from practicing in the areas that are affected by such conditions.
Principle 2. Members shall maintain the highest level of professional competence.
Rule 2a. Members shall provide only those professional services for which they are qualified by education and experience.
Rule 2b. Individuals shall use every resource, including referral to other specialists when appropriate, and shall not receive benefit, or any items of personal value for making the referrals.
Rule 2c. Individuals shall provide appropriate supervision and assume full responsibility for services delegated to support personnel including assistants, technicians, students or other non-professionals.
Rule 2d. Individuals shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, including participation in continuing education.
Rule 2e. Individuals are responsible for ensuring that all equipment used for the purposes of identifying or treating a hearing or vestibular disorder is calibrated and in proper working condition.
Principle 3. Members shall limit their professional activities to those services and products that are in the best interest of those they serve and within their scope of practice as defined by their state licensure law.
Rule 3a. Individuals shall not exploit persons in the delivery of professional services.
Rule 3b. Individuals shall not charge for services not rendered, nor shall they misrepresent services rendered, products dispensed, or research and scholarly activities conducted.
Rule 3c. Individuals shall not participate in activities that constitute a conflict of interest.
Principle 4. Members shall provide accurate statements when disseminating information concerning the nature and management of communication disorders, research and scholarly activities, and products offered.
Rule 4a. Individuals may make a reasonable statement of prognosis, but shall not guarantee results, directly or by implication, mislead or misinform persons they serve.
Rule 4b. Individuals shall conduct and report product related research only in accordance with acceptable standards or research practice.
Rule 4c. Individuals shall not engage in any scheme that can be deemed fraudulent with respect to obtaining payment or reimbursement for professional services or products.
Principle 5. Members shall honor their responsibility to the public when providing public statements or publications or promoting the professions.
Rule 5a. Individuals shall not misrepresent their educational degrees, training, credentials, competence or scholarly or research activities. Only degrees earned from regionally accredited institutions in which training was obtained in Audiology may be used in public statements concerning professional services.
Rule 5b. Individuals shall not make public statements regarding professional services, products, or research that contain misrepresentations or that can be deemed to be false, misleading or deceptive in nature.
Rule 5c. Individuals shall not use professional or commercial affiliations in any way that would limit services to or mislead patients or colleagues.
Rule 5d. Individuals shall only make referrals when it is in the best interest of the person being served and not based on any personal financial interest.
Principle 6. Members shall uphold the dignity of the profession and freely accept the Academy’s self-imposed standards.
Rule 6a. Individuals shall not violate nor attempt to circumvent these principles or rules.
Rule 6b. Individuals shall not engage in dishonesty or illegal conduct that adversely reflects on the profession.
Rule 6c. Individuals shall not engage in sexual activities with any patient or student over whom they maintain professional authority.
Rule 6d. Individuals shall prohibit personnel from engaging in any practice that violates the Code of Ethics.
Rule 6e. Individuals shall inform the Ethics Committee when they have reason to believe that the Academy’s established Code of Ethics has been violated.
Rule 6f. Individuals shall cooperate with the GAA Board of Directors in any matters pertaining to the Academy’s Code of Ethics.
