Mail Order/Internet Hearing Aids

Know your rights and the seller's responsibilities:

California law provides that mail order/internet hearing aids may only be purchased through a dispenser licensed by the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board.
The law states that when hearing aids are purchased by mail order/internet there must be no fitting, selection or adaptation of the instrument.
By law, the seller may give no advice with respect to the taking of an ear impression (ear impressions are made to ensure the proper fit of a hearing aid).
The law also requires that, prior to purchasing a hearing aid through mail order or the Internet, you must provide a statement signed by a physician, audiologist or licensed dispenser that verifies direct examination of your ear.

Beware of potential risks:

To work effectively, hearing aids must fit right. If a mail-order/internet sale doesn't involve personal contact with a licensed dispenser, it's difficult for you to benefit from a proper fitting.
Follow-up evaluation, which is important to ensure the hearing aid is working appropriately and meeting your needs, probably isn't available.
It may be difficult to get a refund from an out-of-state seller. According to California law, if you are not satisfied with a hearing aid, and the hearing aid has not been specifically fit for your particular needs, you may receive a full refund if you return it to the seller within 30 days of receipt.

When preparing to purchase a hearing aid, remember to:

Always deal with a licensed Hearing Aid Dispenser, to take best advantage of California's consumer-protection laws. Ask the dispenser if they're licensed in California, call the Board or check the Board's Web site to verify license status.
Read the fine print on advertisements. If a pitch seems "too good to be true," it probably is.