| The Federal Government has finally stepped into the | | | | for the new regulations. The Federal Trade |
| hearing arena with new regulations that establish | | | | Commission made several recommendations for |
| guidelines for the manufacturing, labeling and selling of | | | | regulating hearing aid purchase plans and hearing aid |
| hearing aids to the millions of people who suffer from | | | | advertising which have also been adopted by the new |
| some form of hearing impairment. The hearing | | | | FDA regulations. |
| impaired individual will now be required to obtain a letter | | | | The new rules are meant to guard patients against |
| from their physician stating the medical necessity of | | | | sales solicitations for it which are not likely to improve |
| aid before they are able to purchase a unit. One | | | | their situation, and to encourage them to seek a |
| reason for this rule is the stunning revelation by the | | | | physician's analysis regarding the causes of their |
| FDA that over 10 million hearing impaired Americans | | | | impairment. The big picture goal here is to give |
| have never had any related medical examination. The | | | | information to consumers that they can use to protect |
| medical evaluation has to have taken place within the | | | | themselves from purchasing a this device that they |
| last six months before the purchase of a hearing | | | | don't really need. The aim is to provide people with all |
| device. | | | | the relevant information before they buy and get the |
| It is however possible for those of 18 years old or | | | | medical attention those who do not really need a aid |
| more to sign a waiver and avoid a medical | | | | require. |
| examination, although the hearing aid dispenser is | | | | Even without these federal regulations, patients should |
| required by law to advise against this. You may be | | | | be responsible enough to protect their hearing from |
| surprised to learn there are over 1,200 different types | | | | fraud or ineffective remedies. It is important people go |
| of hearing aids on the market today. The market | | | | to a physician for an examination. this is not only due to |
| share is split between 60% being elderly, 12% being | | | | aging, it can be a symptom of many different things. |
| children and the remainder being 18-65 year olds. Along | | | | There is a chance a it will not even help you, instead |
| with these new regulations it is now required by all | | | | you may need surgery, drugs or perhaps even simply |
| manufacturers of hearing aids to supply detailed | | | | a change in your diet. However if it is determined you |
| literature with each hearing aid, this brochure should | | | | do need a this you will quickly be referred to the |
| cover how to use the hearing aid, how it will work, | | | | appropriate people. As with any new appliance, do |
| what you can expect it to do for your hearing and | | | | some comparison shopping, and make sure you look |
| what it will not be able to do. | | | | at not just the final full cost but the service plan as well. |
| The leaflet must also explain that hearing aids only | | | | Warranties are also an important thing to look for |
| magnify sound, they do not regenerate your sense of | | | | when buying a it. You will find the majority of |
| hearing or prevent any additional hearing loss. Before | | | | manufacturers offer guarantees against faults for |
| accepting your money the hearing aid dispenser is | | | | around 2 year, you can also ask about trial periods |
| required to show you these brochures. If you | | | | before you purchase. You may even rent a aids, or |
| experience any of the following, the brochures advise | | | | look into lease purchase plans in which the rental is |
| you to seek professional advice, symptoms such as | | | | deducted from your purchase. This can help you to try |
| deformity of the ears, pain or fluid build up, dizziness, | | | | the device before you buy it. Make sure the sound |
| foreign bodies in the ears or what appears to be | | | | quality is good, can you easily hear people in a quiet |
| quickly degrading hearing. | | | | room? Can you hear well in loud places, do you find |
| After providing somebody with a hearing aid the | | | | the hearing aid comfortable to wear? Is it comfortable |
| retailers are obligated to hold onto all documentation of | | | | to wear and easy to operate? Notice the difference |
| the transaction for at least 3 years, this includes the | | | | between how complex a this is and how much it |
| medical forms and waivers. The Department of Health, | | | | costs. Top of the line can carry a price tag in excess |
| Education and Welfare published a report or hearing | | | | of $356 but the average cost for a satisfactory unit is |
| aid and health care in 1975 which serves as the basis | | | | generally between $195 and $250. |