User's Guide

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 who is qualified by
training and experience to assist in the evaluation and
rehabilitation of a child with hearing loss is recommended.
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.
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.
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