22hearing instrument to your individual needs. If youhave reservations about your ability to adapt toamplification, you should inquire about the availabilityof a trial-rental or purchase-option program. Manyhearing instrument dispensers now offer programsthat permit you to wear a hearing instrument for aperiod of time for a nominal fee after which you maydecide if you want to purchase the hearing instrument.Federal law restricts the sale of hearing instruments tothose individuals who have obtained a medicalevaluation from a licensed physician. Federal lawpermits a fully informed adult to sign a waiverstatement declining the medical evaluation forreligious or personal beliefs that preclude consultationwith a physician. The exercise of such a waiver is not inyour best health interest and its use is stronglydiscouraged.Children with hearing lossIn addition to seeing a physician for a medicalevaluation, a child with a hearing loss should bedirected to an audiologist for evaluation andrehabilitation since hearing loss may cause problemsin language development and the educational andsocial growth of a child. An audiologist is qualified bytraining and experience to assist in the evaluation andrehabilitation of a child with a hearing loss.