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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 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 hearing loss.
