(a) This chapter shall not apply to an audiologist who is licensed under the provisions of the Licensure Act of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, § 17-100-101 et seq., or to any person while engaged in the practice of recommending hearing instruments as part of the academic curriculum of an accredited institution of higher education or part of a program conducted by a public charitable institution or nonprofit organization which is primarily supported by voluntary contributions.
(b) This chapter shall not be construed to prohibit any doctor who holds a valid license issued by the Arkansas State Medical Board and specializes in otology or otolaryngology from treating or fitting hearing instruments to the human ear or to prohibit any corporation, partnership, trust, association, or other like organization from engaging in the business of fitting and selling hearing instruments at retail, if it employs only natural persons licensed under this chapter in the direct fitting and sale of such products.