Special care should be exercised in selecting and fitting a hearing aid whose
maximum sound pressure level exceeds 132 decibels because there may be
risk of impairing the remaining hearing of the hearing aid user.
Important notice for prospective hearing aid users
Good health practice requires that a person with a hearing loss have a medi-
cal evaluation by a licensed physician (preferably a physician who special-
izes in diseases of the ear) before purchasing a hearing aid. Licensed physi-
cians who specialize in diseases of the ear are often referred to as otolar-
yngologists, 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 evalua-
tion to assess your ability to hear with and without a hearing aid. The hear-
ing 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 pro-
gram. 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.
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