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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.
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 evaluation and rehabilitation of a child
with a hearing loss.
