User's Manual
38
purchasing a hearing aid.
Licensed physicians who specialize in diseases of the ear
are oen referred to as otolaryngologists, otologists or
otorhinolaryngologists. The purpose of medical evaluation is
to assure that all medically treatable conditions that may aect
hearing are identied 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 t a hearing
aid to your individual needs. If you have reservations about your
ability to adapt to amplication, you should inquire about the
availability of a trial-rental or purchase-option program. Many
hearing aid dispensers now oer programs that permit you to
wear a hearing aid for a period of time for a nominal fee aer
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.
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