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Important notice for prospective hearing aid users (US Only)
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, otolo-
gists 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 hear-
ing 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 evalua-
tion. 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 programme. Many
hearing aid dispensers now offer programmes 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
medical evaluation for religious or personal beliefs that preclude consultation with a physician. The exercise
of such a waiver is not in your best health interest and its use is strongly discouraged.
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Children with hearing loss (US Only)
In addition to seeing a physician for a medical evaluation, a child with a hearing loss should be directed to
an audiologist for evaluation and rehabilitation since hearing loss may cause problems in language develop-
ment and the educational and social growth of a child. An audiologist is qualified by training and experience
to assist in the evaluation and rehabilitation of a child with a hearing loss.
