Warning to hearing instrument dispensers
A hearing instrument dispenser should advise a prospective
hearing instrument user to consult immediately with a
licensed physician (preferably an ear specialist) before
dispensing a hearing instrument. If the hearing instrument
dispenser determines through inquiry, actual observation,
or review of any other available information concerning the
prospective user, that the prospective user has any of the
following conditions:
(i)
Visible congenital or traumatic deformity of the ear.
(ii)
History of active drainage from the ear within the
previous 90 days.
(iii)
History of sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss
within the previous 90 days.
(iv)
Acute or chronic dizziness.
(v)
Unilateral hearing loss of sudden or recent onset within
the previous 90 days.
(vi)
Audiometric air-bone gap equal to or greater than 15
decibels at 500 Hertz (Hz), 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz.
(vii)
Visible evidence of significant cerumen accumulation or
aforeign body in the ear canal.
(viii) Pain or discomfort in the ear.
Special care should be exercised in selecting and fitting a
hearing instrument whose maximum sound pressure capability
exceeds 132 dB SPL as there may be risk of impairing the
remaining hearing of the hearing instrument user.
Important notice for prospective hearing instrument
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 instrument. 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 ensure that all medically
treatable conditions that may affect hearing are identified
and treated before the hearing instrument 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 instrument.
The physician will refer you to an audiologist or a hearing
instrument dispenser, as appropriate, for a hearing
instrument evaluation.
The audiologist or hearing instrument dispenser will
conduct a hearing instrument evaluation to assess your
ability to hear with and without a hearing instrument.
The hearing instrument evaluation will enable the
audiologist or dispenser to select and fit a hearing
instrument to your individual needs. If you have reserva-
tions about your ability to adapt to amplification, you
should inquire about the availability of a trial, rental
or purchase-option program. Many hearing instrument
dispensers now offer programs that permit you to wear a
hearing instrument for a period of time for a nominal fee,
after which you may decide if you want to purchase the
hearing instrument.
Federal law limits the sale of hearing instruments 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. A hearing aid will not restore normal hearing
and will not prevent or improve a hearing impairment
resulting from organic cinditions. A hearing aid is only part
of hearing rehabilitation and may need to be supplemented
by auditory training and lip reading.
