Buying a Hearing Aid
Impaired
hearing is among the most common health problems in the
Federal
Regulations
Food and Drug
Administration regulations state that a hearing aid dispenser may "not
sell you a hearing aid unless you have a physician's statement that your
hearing loss has been medically evaluated and you may be considered a candidate
for a hearing aid."
However, if
you are 18 or older and have carefully considered the state of your own health,
you may waive the medical evaluation. In such cases, the dispenser must: (1)
inform you that the waiver is not in your best interest; (2) not in any way
actively encourage the waiver; (3) afford you an opportunity to sign a written
statement of waiver. In addition, the hearing aid dispenser must provide you
with a copy of a user instructional booklet before you buy an aid, and review
its contents with you. Also, no type of medical treatment or remedies may be
offered or provided by a hearing aid dispenser unless he/she is a licensed
physician.
How
To help
consumers seeking the hearing aid that best suits their needs, it is important
to be aware of these relevant consumer laws.
1) All hearing
aid dealers (those in the business of fitting and selling or renting hearing
aids) must be registered with the New York Secretary of State.
2) No one may
sell you a hearing aid unless you have been examined by a physician licensed in
3) No dealer
may sell or rent you a different type of hearing aid than that recommended by
the physician without first consulting and securing his/her changes in the
recommendation.
4) When
purchasing or renting a hearing aid, your receipt or contract must include the
following information: cost of the hearing aid plus any accessories; make and
model; terms of the warranty; name, business address and registration number of
the seller; cost of services; a statement regarding whether the hearing aid is
new, used or reconditioned.
5) Hearing aid
purchases must be accompanied by a written 45-day money-back guarantee that
states if you return the hearing aid within that period, you are entitled to
your money back, except for 10% of the purchase price, as long as wear and tear
on the device is reasonable
6) No dealer
may represent to you that any hearing aid or device is a new invention or
involves a new mechanical or scientific principle when such is not the case.
7) No hearing
aid dealer may assert that any hearing aid will restore or preserve your
hearing.
8) The dealer
from whom you purchased the hearing aid must accept your hearing aid for repair
and necessary service. The dealer then may refer the repair to the manufacturer
or supplier.
9) S191.14 of
the NYS Department of State's Rules and Regulations governing advertising by
hearing aid dealers states that, "No advertisement shall be issued
indicating that the registrant shall provide any type of medical or audiological examination or that registrant's services have
been recommended by any physician or audiologist or by the State."
Types of
Hearing Loss
Before you
take steps to treat hearing loss, you should talk to a medical specialist to
determine what type of loss you suffer. Hearing loss falls into two categories:
conductive, where causes may have organic roots such as earwax blockage or
middle ear infection; and sensorineural, where causes
may involve damage to hair cells and/or nerve fibers in the ear. Hearing aids
assist in correcting this type of hearing loss.
Choosing
the Right Hearing Aid
Before going
to a hearing aid dispenser, consider checking with the Better Business Bureau
for the company's reliability report. During your appointment, talk with your
hearing professional about how hearing loss affects your life, and any problems
you may have that may affect your use of hearing aids. For example, if you have
trouble picking up small objects, you may find an "in the ear" aid
difficult to place correctly. A thorough discussion of your physical abilities
and lifestyle interests will help the specialist determine the most useful
hearing device for you.
Types of
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids
may be used for only one ear ("monaural") or one for each ear
("binaural"). All hearing aids use a microphone, amplifier,
loudspeaker and batteries, but depending on the programmability of each model,
settings and results will differ. Hearing aids come with basic analog
functions, which have a limited adjustment range; programmable analog, which
allows for a more sophisticated adjustment and/or multiple settings; and
digital, which provides the widest range of settings and clarity, but may not
prove cost effective. Additional hardware such as directional microphones or
telephone adapters ("telecoils") may
enhance your hearing aid's usefulness. Talk with an audiologist to determine
the best technology for your needs and budget.
There are four
basic styles of hearing aids:
Before Signing a Contract
Ask about a
trial period. Adjusting to a new device takes time, and a hearing aid that
appears effective in the dealer's office may not work well in your home or office.
Request that your contract indicate the length of the trial period and any fees
incurred. In addition, in accordance with the NYS Department of State
guidelines, you have 45 days to return a hearing aid you have purchased if you
are dissatisfied with it. Check to see if you can easily operate the controls
(tone, volume and the telephone switch).
Ask how many
follow-up visits and adjustments are included in the price of the hearing aid.
Find out what services and repairs are free of charge, and how long will they
be done free. Consider signing up for support groups and/or classes to teach
you about hearing loss and hearing aids if the company offers these services.
Find out what maintenance costs (batteries, cleaners, service, etc.) will be
involved with each hearing aid you are considering. Make sure you understand
the warranty or guarantee offered and that your contract includes this
information in writing. Ask about usual repair time, where repairs take place,
and if "loaner" devices may be available during the wait.
If you require
financial assistance to obtain a hearing aid, you may wish to contact one of
the social service organizations, the state vocational, rehabilitation or
public health departments, your local welfare office or Veterans Administration.
For more
information, contact:
Better
Business Bureau
(800) 828-5000
www.bbb.org
New York State Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
(518) 474-4429
www.dos.state.ny.us
Food &
Drug Administration
(888) 463-6332
www.fda.gov
Association of
Late Deafened Adults
(877) 907-1738 (V/FAX)
(708) 358-0135 (TTY)
www.alda.org
National Institute
on Deafness & Other Communication Disorders Information Clearinghouse
(800) 241-1044
www.nidcd.nih.gov
Self Help for
Hard of Hearing People, Inc. (SHHH)
(301) 657-2248 (V)
(301) 657-2249 (TTY)
www.shhh.org
This report is
general in nature and is not intended as a reliability report on any company,
service or product.