Industry Tips
Hearing Aids
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that prospective users present a written statement from a licensed physician that states that the patient's hearing loss has been medically evaluated and the patient should be considered a candidate for a hearing aid. This hearing exam must have taken place in the last 6 months. The only exception to this requirement is if the prospective user is over 18 years of age and signs a waiver to medical evaluation. The dispenser is obligated to inform the prospective user that it is not in the best health interest in addition to other disclosures.
Here are some questions you should ask before selecting and purchasing an aid:
* How is the quality of the sound?
* Does it help you understand speech in quiet as well as noisy places?
* Is the aid comfortable to wear?
* Are the controls (tone control, volume control, telephone switch) easy to operate?
* Can the aid be handled easily, especially by an infirm or elderly person?
* If is to be worn by a child, is the aid sturdy?
* Does the price include the ear mold?
* What are the costs of upkeep?
It is estimated that the average life of a hearing aid in daily use is about three years. During this time, it is likely that the aid will need to be repaired and serviced. It is important to know if the dispenser can provide servicing and minor repairs.
For more information, you can contact the following:
International Hearing Society
16880 Middlebelt Road, Suite 4
Livonia, Michigan 48154
American Speech-Language-Hearing Society
10801 Rockville Pike
Rockville, Maryland 20852
