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 Healthcare Professionals 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.
A hearing aid dispenser should advise a prospective hearing aid user to consult
promptly with a licensed physician (preferably an ear specialist) before
dispensing a hearing aid. If the hearing aid 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,
then consult a physician.
Notice to hearing healthcare providers
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Stop Using Hearing aids and Consult a Physician if:
* Hearing in one or both ears worsened.
* Your ear becomes occluded with excessive ear wax.
* Hearing does not improve while using the provided hearing aid
* You develop an infection of your ear or ear canal.
* Skin irritation develops in or around your ear canal.
* Visible congenital or traumatic deformity of the ear.
* Unilateral hearing loss of sudden or recent onset within the previous 90 days.
* History of active drainage from the ear within the previous 90 days.
* Audiometric air-bone gap equal to or greater than 15 decibels at 500 hertz (Hz),
1000Hz, and 2000 Hz.
* History of sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss within the previous 90
days.
* Visible evidence of significant cerumen accumulation or a foreign body in the
ear canal.
* Acute or chronic dizziness.
* Pain or discomfort in the ear.
