Important Notice for Prospective Hearing Aid Users
Good health practice requires that a person with a hearing loss have a medical evalua-
tion 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 otorhinolaryngolo-
gists. The purpose of medical evaluation is to assure that all medically treatable condi-
tions 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 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 audiologistor 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.
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 evalua-
tion and rehabilitation of a child with a hearing loss.
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