Important notice for prospective hearing aid users
Good health practice requires that a person with a hearing loss have a
medical evaluation by a licensed physician (preferably a physician who
specializes in diseases of the ear) before purchasing a hearing aid. Licensed
physicians who specialize in diseases of the ear are often referred to as
otolaryngologists, otologists, or otorhinolaryngologists. The purpose of
medical evaluation is to assure that all medically treatable conditions that
may affect hearing are identified and treated before the hearing aid is
purchased.
Following the medical evaluation, the physician will give you a written
statement that states that your hearing loss has been medically evaluated
and that you may be considered a candidate for a hearing aid. The physician
will refer you to an audiologist or a hearing aid dispenser, as appropriate, for
a hearing aid evaluation.
The audiologist or hearing aid dispenser will conduct a hearing aid
evaluation to assess your ability to hear with and without a hearing aid. The
hearing aid evaluation will enable the audiologist or dispenser to select and
fit a hearing aid to your individual needs.
If you have reservations about your ability to adapt to amplification, you
should inquire about the availability of a trial-rental or purchase-option
program. Many hearing aid dispensers now offer programs that permit you
to wear a hearing aid for a period of time for a nominal fee after which you
may decide if you want to purchase the hearing aid.
Federal law restricts the sale of hearing aids to those individuals who have
obtained a medical evaluation from a licensed physician. Federal law
permits a fully informed adult to sign a waiver statement declining the
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