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Fda inFOrMatiOn
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
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.
Starkey World Headquarters
P.O. Box 9457, Minneapolis, MN 55440
Wm. F. Austin House, Bramhall Technology Park
Pepper Road, Hazel Grove, Stockport SK7 5BX
United Kingdom