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, 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 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 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.
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