Important Notice for Prospective Hearing Instrument 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 instrument.
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 instrument 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 instrument. The physician will refer you to an audiologist or a hearing instrument dispenser, as appropriate, for a hearing instrument evaluation. The audiologist or hearing instrument dispenser will conduct a hearing instrument evaluation to assess your ability to hear with and without a hearing instrument. The hearing instrument evaluation will enable the audiologist or dispenser to select and fit a hearing instrument to your individual needs. If you have reservations about your ability to adapt to
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