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Consumer
Advisories
"Listen
Up!" -- for Tips on Buying a Hearing Aid
Four out
of ten persons who buy hearing aids are less than fully satisfied,
according to an industry survey cited by Consumer Reports
magazine. But there are ways people can increase their odds
of success.
Some people have trouble adjusting to a hearing aid and end
up leaving it in a drawer after paying a substantial sum for
it. Others have difficulty getting a device adjusted or replaced,
or obtaining a refund if the hearing aid doesn't work as promised.
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are some helpful tips if you think you may need a hearing
aid: |
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See
your doctor first. Be sure you don't have a more serious
medical problem, and get a professional opinion before you
invest in a hearing aid.
-
Shop
around for a hearing aid dealer you like and trust. If you
don't know where to start, ask your family doctor or friends
to recommend a reputable dealer.
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Remember
that hearing aid dealers in Iowa must be licensed by the
Hearing Aid Dealer Licensing Board. They must pass a qualifying
exam, be free of infectious diseases, and pay a fee. (There
are no educational requirements to be licensed.)
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Be
sure to ask to see the salesperson's license.
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Ask
if the dealer will give you a 30-day trial period with an
opportunity for a refund. Most audiologists who also dispense
hearing aids offer such a trial period.
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Your
hearing aid should fit securely and comfortably in or around
your ear. Distortion of sound should be minimal.
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Hearing
aids should work well in crowds and phone conversations.
Your hearing aid should have an adjustable sound level;
the loudest sound should not be uncomfortable.
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Select
a hearing aid that is built sturdily. Make sure the hearing
aid batteries are easy to replace. Know where you can buy
batteries, how long they last, and how much they cost.
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Be
sure you receive a written warranty and that you understand
it -- especially any terms for returning the device and
getting a refund. Hearing aid warranties vary from one manufacturer
to another.
To
find out if complaints have been filed against a seller or to
file a complaint yourself, contact the Consumer Protection Division
by calling 515-281-5926 or by writing: Consumer Protection Division,
Hoover Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319.
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