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(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 a foreign body in the ear canal.
(viii) Pain or discomfort in the ear.
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,
otologists or otorhinolaryngologists. The purpose of the 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 evalu-
ation. 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 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.
