(a) The Program shall lend a suitable hearing aid to a parent or legal guardian of an eligible individual who has no immediate access to a hearing aid on receipt of: (1) A prescription from an otolaryngologist or a licensed audiologist; and (2) Any documents required by the Program to prove that the individual is an eligible individual who has no immediate access to a hearing aid. (b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the loan period shall be for not more than 1 year. (2) The Program may extend the original loan period for the loan of a hearing aid for an additional 1-year period if, prior to each extension, the Program determines that: (i) The individual does not have immediate access to another hearing aid under Medicaid, the Maryland Children's Health Program, or private health insurance; (ii) The individual's parent or legal guardian currently does not have the financial means to obtain immediate access to another hearing aid; and (iii) The individual's parent or legal guardian is making reasonable efforts to obtain access to another hearing aid. (c) A parent or legal guardian who borrows a hearing aid from the Loan Bank for an eligible individual shall: (1) Be the custodian of the hearing aid; (2) Return the hearing aid immediately to the Loan Bank on the expiration of the loan period or receipt of a suitable permanent hearing aid, whichever occurs first; (3) Be responsible for the proper care and use of the hearing aid; (4) Be responsible for any damage to or loss of the hearing aid; and (5) Sign a written agreement provided by the State Superintendent that states the term and conditions of the loan. (d) If the parent or legal guardian of an eligible individual receives a hearing aid on loan from the Loan Bank, the Program shall ensure that the eligible individual's otolaryngologist or licensed audiologist instructs the parent or legal guardian about the proper care and use of a hearing aid provided under the Program.
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