Advice for Consumers

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See your medical doctor.
Your medical doctor will send you to an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist (ENT)
The ear specialist will take a history and do an examination of your ears.
The ear specialist will refer you to an audiologist who will assess your hearing and hearing aid candidacy.
The audiologist will recommend a hearing aid solution based on your hearing test (audiogram). The audiologist may also dispense hearing aids).
A dispenser of hearing aids will take an impression for an ear mold and fit you with a hearing aid for a trial period.

You should get a 30-day money back guarantee for your trial of a hearing aid. (But not for the ear mold or test).
Ask to try out different models if you are not completely satisfied or sure of your trial with the aid.
Ask for a telecoil on your aid and for the opportunity to try it with an induction (or other) loop. Remember that some hearing aids may be too small for a telecoil.
Ask about a direct audio input for your hearing aid, if applicable.
Talk to experienced hearing aid users before buying.

High pressure sales pitches.
Ads which claim exclusive new technology. (If there is a new development, all manufacturers of hearing aids will have it.)

Contact the dispenser; if he/she is unwilling to resolve the problem
then write a letter to the hearing instrument specialist and send a copy to CHHA-NL detailing the problem and the solution you request.
Set a time limit for a reply. e.g. 30 days, and if you do not get satisfaction, contact CHHA-NL. You should also determine what legal recourse you have in your Province or Territory e.g., law or disciplinary board for hearing aid dispensers.

There are 2 kinds of batteries, the air (zinc air) cell and the mercury cell.
Air cell batteries do not begin to deteriorate until the small blue sticker is removed.
The air cell lasts essentially twice as long as the mercury cell.
Some individuals with more profound types of hearing impairment will prefer the use of a mercury cell battery.
Severe damage to a hearing aid may occur if the battery is forced. Recheck battery position whenever it appears to require excessive pressure for insertion.
Keep old batteries and dispose of them safely. Inquire who in your vicinity has a collection program for this, e.g. a hearing aid dispenser, or local service agency or CHHA Branch.

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