The Truth About Cheap “Hearing Aids”

There are a couple separate ways to think about the term “cheap hearing aids”. For anyone on a tight budget, it means “affordability”. Conversely, it implies low-quality, turning a seemingly economical purchase into a not-so-smart decision, epitomized by the adage “You get what you pay for”.

Regrettably, differentiating between a thrifty purchase and an item of minimal value is often tricky. This is particularly true in terms of hearing aids.

The adage “you get what you pay for” is especially potent with hearing aids. This means weeding out the devices that are priced in the “too good to be true” zone, not automatically going for the most costly choice. Consumers need to be aware that important information is often excluded from the marketing campaigns of cheap hearing aids.

They typically just amplify sound

Increasing the overall volume is typically the only thing cheap “hearing aids” can handle. If you boost the volume to hear the TV better, you’ll also get background noises including the dishwasher, a fan in a different room, a barking dog, or the sound of your house slippers going across the floor.

The purpose of having a hearing aid is completely defeated if it also amplifies undesirable sound.

On the other hand, a high-quality, modern hearing aid goes beyond mere volume adjustment. It minimizes background noise while skillfully managing sound and improving clarity. Real hearing aids mimic natural hearing with great accuracy and are custom programmed to your particular hearing needs.

Hearing aids vs. PSAPs

There are strict rules about what an advertiser can call a hearing aid as written by the Food and Drug Administration.

Sadly, there are many devices out there that are advertised as hearing aids when they are actually personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), named this because they can only amplify sound.

There are many legit and reputable providers that comply with proper marketing. But you may find some uninformed salespeople or products on Amazon or eBay that mislead consumers into thinking that these devices meet the definition of a hearing aid. Some even incorrectly advertise that they are FDA-approved.

They aren’t inclusive for the majority of types of hearing loss

Most individuals who lose their hearing will slowly lose certain frequencies of sound before others. For example, you might have no trouble hearing a man with a low voice, but have difficulty with a woman’s or child’s voice, finding it challenging to comprehend.

A cheap hearing device typically results in overall volume amplification. However, if you have trouble with particular frequencies, just boosting the volume will be insufficient. Furthermore, turning the volume up significantly to catch the sound of your granddaughter playing on the floor might lead to your adult son’s speech sounding like a roar, potentially adding to hearing loss if exposed to high volumes for prolonged periods.

High-quality hearing aids can be programmed to increase selected frequencies offering a much better solution. They can instantly adjust the frequency you struggle to hear to one that is more audible, providing a more tailored and effective hearing experience.

Feedback can be an issue

You won’t get a custom fit with cheap hearing aids. Without that custom fit, you’ll create a feedback loop. As the speaker in your ear jiggles around, the microphone picks up the sound. What does this sound like? An ear-shattering screech.

They usually don’t have cellphone support

When individuals are looking for a budget-friendly device, they often sacrifice functionality like Bluetooth capability. When thinking about phone connectivity, the lack of Bluetooth is a major obstacle. With cheaper hearing devices, when you attempt to amplify phone calls, your device will amplify every little sound, like your ears or lips rubbing against the phone, or clothing and hair.

More advanced hearing aids are digital and utilize Bluetooth connectivity to connect directly to your phone. This advanced feature ensures that when your daughter speaks on the other end, her voice is sent directly into your hearing aids, enhancing clarity and overall communication.

They’re not designed for people with hearing loss

Most individuals would probably be surprised by this. These amplifiers were never meant to treat hearing loss. They were made to amplify sound for individuals who have fairly good hearing.

If you have very mild hearing loss then cheap devices might help a little. But they won’t be of much help for individuals who actually need hearing aids.

Where can you get quality affordable hearing aids?

There are many ways to get hearing aids affordably. Insurance or other third parties might cover them. You can also find financing possibilities, leasing programs, and more affordable brands. If you think you have hearing loss, start by getting checked out. Make an appointment with us so we can help you get the best and most affordable hearing aids for your level and type of hearing loss.

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