A patient age 18 years or older can sign a waiver for a medical examination, but dispensers must avoid encouraging the patient to waive the medical evaluation requirement. Dispensers also must advise the patient that waiving the examination is not in his best health interest. Dispensers must advise patients who appear to have a hearing problem to consult promptly with a physician. The FDA regulations also require that an instruction brochure be provided with the hearing aid that illustrates and describes its operation, use, and care. The brochure must list sources for repair and maintenance, and include a statement that the use of a hearing aid may be only part of a rehabilitative program.
Many states have laws governing hearing aid sales.
Most states license hearing aid dispensers. You also may be protected by implied warranties created by state law. Your state Attorney General's office can tell you what laws apply to hearing aid sales in your state. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel , a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies U.S. and abroad.