26
Warning to Hearing Instrument
Dispensers
A hearing instrument dispenser should advise a
prospective hearing instrument user to consult promptly
with a licensed physician (preferably an ear specialist)
before dispensing a hearing 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 within 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
decibels 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 hearing instrument whose maximum sound
pressure level exceeds 132 decibels because there may
be risk of impairing the remaining hearing of the hearing
instrument user. [This provision is required only for
those hearing instruments with a maximum sound
pressure capability greater than 132 decibels (dB).]
