If you have any doubts as to their qualifications, check with the local Better Business Bureau or licensing board in the state for a record of past consumer complaints. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that a licensed physician evaluate your hearing within the six months before you purchase a hearing aid, unless you sign a waiver. However, for first time hearing aid users bypassing the medical evaluation may not be in your best interest. A physician can tell whether your hearing loss might be corrected by something as simple as removing wax from your ears or if your hearing impairment is a sign of something more serious. This has fueled the debate, especially in light of managed care, as to which type of caregiver you should see first in seeking help for your suspected hearing loss.
Hearing aids are simple in principle.
All hearing aids consist of a tiny microphone, amplifier and speaker, and a battery to power them. But hearing aids vary in their circuitry and overall design, which in return affects the price. Many hearing aids have become smaller in recent years, in response to consumer demand. However, smaller is not always better. The type of hearing aid that is appropriate will depend on the type and degree of hearing loss you have.