User's Manual

28
(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 system
whose maximum sound pressure level exceeds 132 decibels because there
may be risk of impairing the remaining hearing of the hearing system user.
Important Notice for Prospective Hearing System 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 specializes
in diseases of the ear) before purchasing a hearing system.
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 system is
purchased.
Following the medical evaluation, the physician will give you a written state-
ment that states that your hearing loss has been medically evaluated and
that you may be considered a candidate for a hearing system. The physician
will refer you to an audiologist or a hearing system professional, as appropri-
ate, for a hearing system evaluation.
The audiologist or hearing system professional will conduct a hearing sys-
tem evaluation to assess your ability to hear with and without a hearing sys-
tem. The hearing system evaluation will enable the audiologist or dispenser
to select and fit a hearing system 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 system professionals now offer programs that permit
you to wear a hearing system for a period of time for a nominal fee after
which you may decide if you want to purchase the hearing system.
Federal law restricts the sale of hearing system 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 consulta-
tion with a physician. The exercise of such a waiver is not in your best health
interest and its use is strongly discouraged.