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Keeping
You Informed:
New Laws
To Protect Consumers
The Minnesota Department of
Health passed several laws which you should be aware
of as you shop for a hearing aid:
State law requires hearing-aid sellers to offer
consumers a 45 day written money-back guarantee.
The guarantee permits the buyer to cancel the
purchase for any reason during the 45 day period.
Sellers may keep a $250.00 cancellation fee.
If the aid needs to be repaired, remade, or adjusted
during the 45 day period, the running of the
guarantee period is suspended by one day for each 24
hour period that the hearing aid is not in the
buyer's possession.
Hearing aid sellers need a state issued
certification and pass an examination in order to
conduct business in Minnesota. A seller may be
a hearing-aid dealer, a hearing instrument
dispenser, an audiologist, a medical doctor or a
person using other names or titles. Sellers
are required to place their certification number on
all contracts, bills of sale, and receipts used in
the sale of hearing aids.
State law prohibits sellers from obtaining money,
property, or services from consumers through the use
of undue influence, high pressure sales tactics,
harassment, duress, and fraud.
State law prohibits sellers from presenting false or
misleading advertising.
Federal law requires sellers to
provide prospective hearing-aid buyers with a
brochure describing the use of the aid that is being
considered for purchase. The brochure must
contain a statement advising prospective hearing aid
users to consult promptly with a licensed physician
(preferably an ear specialist) before purchasing an
aid.
Federal law requires sellers to provide a medical
waiver form to adults who decide not to have a
medical evaluation of their hearing before
purchasing a hearing-aid. Hearing-aid
dispensers are required to advise consumers that
signing such a waiver is not in the buyer's best
health interest and that its use is strongly
discouraged.
THE BBB ALSO PROVIDES A PAMPHLET ON HEARING AIDS
THAT CAN BE MAILED OUT TO YOU AT YOUR REQUEST.
If you're in the Twin Cities and would like a
pamphlet sent to you, call
651-699-1111.
If you're in outstate Minnesota, call
1-800-646-6222.
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Hearing Aid Tax Credit Bill Reintroduced In Congress
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The tax credit
has been reintroduced in the House and will shortly be
reintroduced in the Senate. With healthcare reform on
the horizon, there has been no better time to make
your voice heard in support of these bills. Please
help us make the hearing aid tax credit a reality once
and for all!
The legislation would provide a tax credit up to $1000
for two hearing aids for dependents and adults 55+;
the Senate is considering a bill which would cover all
age groups. One in four households in America has at
least one person with a hearing loss and 2/3 cannot
afford hearing healthcare.
Make your voice heard again at
www.hearingaidtaxcredit.org to help make hearing
aids more affordable for you, your family, and your
friends. Communicate with your Representative and
Senators with the click of a mouse; it only takes 3-4
minutes to send your letter to Washington.
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