Widex USB LINK, User Instructions

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Important notice for prospective hearing aid users
Good health practice requires that a person with a hearing loss have a medical evaluation by a li-
censed 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 appropri-
ate, 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 audiolo-
gist 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 personal beliefs that preclude consul-
tation with a physician. The exercise of such a waiver is not in your best health interest and its use
is strongly discouraged.
Children with hearing loss
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 development 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.