7. Visible evidence of significant cerumen accumulation or a foreign body in the ear canal.
8. Pain or discomfort in the ear.
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 hearing aid 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
Warnings to hearing care professionals (US only)
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