DISPENSER INFORMATION & CHILDREN
WITH HEARING LOSS
WARNING TO HEARING INSTRUMENT DISPENSERS
A hearing instrument dispenser should advise a prospective hearing instrument user to consult promptly with a
licensed physician (preferably an ear specialist) before dispensing a hearing instrument if the hearing instrument
dispenser determines, through inquiry, actual observation or review of any other available information concerning
the prospective user, that the prospective user has any of the following conditions:
1. Visible congenital or traumatic deformity of the ear
2. History of active drainage from the ear within the previous 90 days
3. History of sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss within the previous 90 days
4. Acute or chronic dizziness
5. Unilateral hearing loss of sudden or recent onset within the previous 90 days
6. Audiometric air-bone gap equal to or greater than 15 decibels (dB) at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz
7. Visible evidence of significant cerumen accumulation or foreign body in the ear canal
8. Pain or discomfort in the ear
Special care should be exercised in selecting and fitting a hearing instrument whose maximum sound pressure level
exceeds 132 dB, because there may be risk of impairing the remaining hearing of the hearing instrument user. This
provision is required only for those hearing instruments with a maximum sound pressure capability greater than
132 dB.
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 audiolo-
gist for evaluation and rehabilitation since hearing loss may cause problems in language development and the edu-
cational and social growth of a child. An audiologist is qualified by training and experience to assist in the evaluation
and rehabilitation of a child with a hearing loss.
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR PROSPECTIVE
HEARING INSTRUMENT WEARERS
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 instrument. Licensed physi-
cians who specialize in diseases of the ear are often referred to as otolaryngologists, otologists or otorhinolaryngolo-
gists. The purpose of a medical evaluation is to ensure that all medically treatable conditions that may affect hearing
are identified and treated before the hearing instrument is purchased.
Following the medical evaluation, the physician will refer you to a hearing care professional, as appropriate, for
a hearing evaluation.
The hearing care professional will conduct a hearing evaluation to assess your ability to hear with and without a
hearing instrument. The hearing evaluation will enable the hearing care professional to select and program the hearing
instrument to your individual needs.
If you have reservations about your ability to adapt to amplification, you should inquire about the availability of
a trial or purchase option program. Many hearing instrument dispensers now offer programs that permit you to wear
a hearing instrument for a period of time for a nominal fee, after which you may decide if you want to purchase the
hearing instrument.
Federal law requires that an individual obtain a medical evaluation from a licensed physician before hearing instru-
ments may be dispensed. However, a fully informed adult may sign a waiver statement declining the 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.
If you elect to exercise your waiver option, you should know that hearing instruments cannot restore normal
hearing, nor can they help everyone. Your success with amplification depends on your hearing loss and individual
experiences. In most cases, infrequent use of a hearing instrument will not allow you to obtain full benefit from it.
Furthermore, the use of a hearing instrument is only part of hearing rehabilitation and may need to be supplemented
by auditory training and instruction in lip reading.
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