Federal law permits a fully informed adult to sign a waiver statement declining the medical evaluation for religious or personal beliefs that preclude consultation with a physician. Children under the age of 18 are not eligible for a waiver. The exercise of such a waiver is not in your best health interest and its use is strongly discouraged.
In accordance with good health practice, MDHearingAid and the US FDA recommend that a person with hearing loss have a medical evaluation by a licensed audiologist or physician (preferably a physician who specializes in diseases of the ear) before purchasing any hearing aid. If you have or think you may have any of the following conditions you should consult a doctor prior to purchase:
- Visible deformity of the ear
- Fluid or drainage from the ear within the past 90 days
- Sudden, rapidly progressing, or fluctuating hearing loss
- Spells of acute or chronic dizziness
- Hearing loss only on one side that worsened in the past 90 days
- Ear canal blockage, a lasting ear infection or a 'plugged up' fullness feeling
- Excessive wax buildup, or a history of excessive wax buildup
- Pain or discomfort in the ear
- Ringing in one or both ears within last 90 days