Precautions:
A hearing aid is a
precision electronic device and as such,
it requires the care in use and handling
that you would afford any fine piece of
equipment. The following precautions
are not meant to discourage normal use
of your hearing aid, but are suggested
to insure quality performance and long
life from your hearing aid.
Do not drop or throw your hearing
aid, as this may damage internal
components. Do not expose your
hearing aid or batteries to excessive
heat, such as from stove tops, hair
dryers, heat lamps or your automobile
rear shelf or glove compartment. Do
not immerse your hearing aid in water
or other liquids, or wear it while
bathing, showering or swimming.
If your hearing aid is to be stored for
any length of time, be sure to remove
the battery and store both in a cool,
dry place. Your hearing aid has been
constructed from the finest materials,
using the latest engineering technology;
however, in rare instances, an individual
may exhibit signs of skin irritation,
allergic reaction, or accelerated
accumulation of cerumen (earwax).
If this occurs, consult your physician.
Keep new and used batteries out of
reach of children and those with
diminished mental capacity. Batteries,
if consumed, can be harmful. Consult
your physician immediately and call
the National Battery Hotline collect
(202) 625-3333.
Federal law permits an adult to
purchase hearing aids by mail.
You may either send a prescription
or sign a medical waiver.
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, otolotists or
otorhinolaryngologists. The purpose of
a 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 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
