Lax Dispensing of Hearing Aids Causes Government To Institute New Regulations

Until now there had been no real regulations on the dispensing and labeling of hearing aids, this has all changed now thanks to new federal regulations designed to protect the millions of Americans that are hearing impaired in some way. The Food & Drug Administration's new regulations now require that in order for a hearing aid to be sold, the patient must present a doctor's authorization indicating that a hearing aid may assist with their impairment. One reason for this rule is the stunning revelation by the FDA that over 10 million hearing impaired Americans have never had any related medical examination. The hearing aid must be purchased within six months from the date of the medical evaluation which is to be completed by a doctor.

Buyers who are 18 years or older may still waive the medical evaluation, but the dispenser must explain that to do so may go against the buyer's best interests. Currently there is around 1,200 different hearing aids on the market. The market share is split between 60% being elderly, 12% being children and the remainder being 18-65 year olds. One of the requirements for manufacturers now is providing a detailed brochure for each model of hearing aid which explains what the aid can and cannot do, how it actually works and how it is used.

It muse be clearly stated that a hearing aid can not restore normal hearing or prevent any future loss of hearing. Before you can even complete the sale, the hearing aid dispenser is required to give you the brochure. The literature is required to contain a warning to immediately seek examination by an audiologist or other doctor if the patient experiences dizziness, ear pain, fluid collection, deformity, sudden manifestation of hearing loss, or the like.

Also, anyone selling hearing aids is required to keep their records, including the waiver or medical statement, for at least 3 years. Much of the new regulations were created using a 1975 report issued by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare that explored hearing aids and hearing aid health in the United States. The final regulations are also in line with similar proposed rules issued by the Federal Trade Commission. There are many afflictions that can cause hearing loss of which a hearing aid would be of no use.

This regulation has been created to protect people from buying hearing aids that aren't going to help them, as well as making sure people check with a doctor to make sure there's a medical reason for the loss of their hearing. According to one spokesman the goal is to give consumers all the information they need to avoid spending money on something they do not require and can actually be detrimental to their recovery. An additional rational is to make certain that patients whose conditions can be improved by hearing aids are given thorough information regarding their options, and to ensure that anyone who requires a physicians input regarding their impairment will seek it, instead of simply purchasing a hearing aid blindly.

As always, though the federal government has rules in place to protect you, you are still ultimately responsible for yourself. Your first step should be to seek an evaluation with your family doctor. Sometimes hearing loss is the result of disease that must be diagnosed before the patient can be cured. Some conditions can be improved through the use of prescription medications, surgery or even through something as simple as a diet change, which can be determined and outlined by a qualified and certified audiologist. Hearing aids are just like any other product you may buy, so shop around and look for the best prices and after purchase services.

Be certain to investigate warranty options as well. Most manufacturers will automatically guarantee the device against any factory defects or breakdowns for a minimum of 2 years, and many even offer a trial use period. There are also rental plans, including a straight rental, or a lease purchase plan, with your periodic rent payments applied towards the final purchase price. Answer these questions before you purchase a hearing aid. Make sure the sound quality is good, can you easily hear people in a quiet room? Does the new hearing aid work well in noisy situations? Can you understand the controls and use them easily? Be sure you recognize the differences in the costs, as well as the complexities. For seniors, a great device may be available for $195 to $250; for the rest, a high grade hearing aid can be had for $350.

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