Important Notice for Prospective Hearing Aid Users
Good health practice requires that a person with a hearing loss have a medical evalu-
ation 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 consid-
ered 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 medical evaluation for religious or per-
sonal 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.
25
