Operation Manual

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(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 aid whose
maximum sound pressure level exceeds 132 decibels
because there may be risk of impairing the remaining
hearing of the hearing aid user. (This provision is
required only for those hearing aids with a maximum
sound pressure capability greater than 132 decibels
(dB).)
Important Notice for Prospective Hearing Aid 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 purchasing a hearing aid. 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 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 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.