Warning to hearing instrument dispensers
A hearing instrument dispenser should advise a prospective
hearing instrument user to consult immediately with a licensed
physician (preferably an ear specialist) before dispensing a hear-
ing instrument. If the hearing instrument dispenser determines
through inquiry, actual observation, or review of any other
available information concerning the prospective user, that the
prospective user has any of the following conditions:
(i)
Visible congenital or traumatic deformity of the ear.
(ii) History of active drainage from the ear within the previous
90 days.
(iii) History of sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss with-
in the previous 90 days.
(iv) Acute or chronic dizziness.
(v) Unilateral hearing loss of sudden or recent onset within
the previous 90 days.
(vi) Audiometric air-bone gap equal to or greater than 15 deci-
bels at 500 Hertz (Hz), 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz.
(vii) Visible evidence of significant cerumen accumulation or a
foreign body in the ear canal.
(viii) Pain or discomfort in the ear.
Special care should be exercised in selecting and fitting a hear-
ing instrument whose maximum sound pressure capability
exceeds 132 dB SPL as there may be risk of impairing the
remaining hearing of the hearing instrument user.
Important notice for prospective hearing
instrument 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 purchas-
ing a hearing instrument. 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 ensure that all medically treatable conditions
that may affect hearing are identified and treated before the
hearing instrument 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 candi-
date for a hearing instrument.
The physician will refer you to an audiologist or a hearing instru-
ment dispenser, as appropriate, for a hearing instrument evalua-
tion.
The audiologist or hearing instrument dispenser will conduct a
hearing instrument evaluation to assess your ability to hear with
and without a hearing instrument. The hearing instrument evalu-
ation will enable the audiologist or dispenser to select and fit a
hearing instrument to your individual needs. If you have reserva-
tions about your ability to adapt to amplification, you should
inquire about the availability of a trial, rental or purchase-option
program. Many hearing instrument dispensers now offer programs
that permit you to wear a hearing instrument for a period of time
for a nominal fee, after which you may decide if you want to pur-
chase the hearing instrument.
Federal law limits the sale of hearing instruments to those indi-
viduals who have obtained a medical evaluation from
a licensed physician.
Federal law permits a fully informed adult to sign a waiver state-
ment 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.
A hearing aid is only part of hearing rehabilitation and may
need to be supplemented by auditory training and lip reading.
