“Cheap Hearing Aids” What You Should Know

The word “cheap” has dual meanings. On the one hand, it implies affordability, a wise choice for a budget-conscious person. But we’ve all heard the saying “You get what you pay for”, and in this example, the word “cheap” suggests low-quality hearing aids.

Regrettably, differentiating between an economical purchase and an item of minimal value is frequently challenging. When it comes to hearing aids, this couldn’t be more valid.

The saying “you get what you pay for” is particularly potent with hearing aids. This doesn’t always imply opting for the top-tier option, but rather, looking closely at products that boast a price tag too appealing to be authentic. Consumers need to be aware that important information is frequently left out of the marketing campaigns of cheap hearing aids.

They often just amplify sound

Cheap “hearing aids” usually provide minimal functionality, primarily amplifying or decreasing overall volume. 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 shoes going across the floor.

If everything is louder, it totally defeats the purpose of using a hearing aid.

Contrastingly, a high-quality, contemporary hearing aid goes beyond mere volume adjustment. It expertly manages sound, improving the clarity of desired sounds while reducing background noise. Authentic hearing aids simulate natural hearing with great accuracy and are custom programmed to your particular hearing needs.

Hearing aids vs. PSAPs

The Food and Drug Administration has drafted guidelines for those who sell hearing devices and have strict rules as to what can be labeled hearing aids.

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

The majority of reputable companies comply. But there are some vendors, particularly online, that may be misinformed about what characterizes the difference between hearing aids and PSAPs, and as a result, they put out misleading claims about their products. You may even find some that claim that they are FDA-approved when that’s actually false.

They aren’t helpful for most types of hearing loss

The majority of people who lose their hearing will gradually lose particular frequencies of sound before others. For example, you might have no problems hearing a man with a low voice, but have difficulty with a woman’s or child’s voice, finding it challenging to comprehend.

You get total amplification with cheap hearing aids. But simply turning up the overall volume will not be sufficient for people who have a hard time hearing particular frequencies. And turning the overall volume up could result in added damage to your hearing because the frequencies you don’t have trouble with will be roaring in your ears.

High-quality hearing aids can be programmed to increase selected frequencies offering a much better solution. They provide a more personalized hearing experience by shifting frequencies you can’t hear very well to frequencies you hear better.

Feedback can be an issue

You won’t get a custom fit with cheap hearing aids. A feedback loop is often the consequence of poorly fitting hearing aids. As the speaker in your ear wiggles around, the microphone picks up the sound. This will generate a deafening screech.

They typically won’t help you on your cellphone

Functionality is frequently sacrificed when opting for budget options, and this holds true for lots of inexpensive hearing aids lacking Bluetooth connectivity. The absence of Bluetooth becomes critical when considering phone connectivity. Trying to amplify a cheap hearing aid while on the phone results in capturing not just the caller’s voice but also the sounds of your ear, lips, clothing, and hair brushing against the phone, making it even more difficult to hear the person on the other end.

On the other hand, digital hearing aids use telecoil or Bluetooth technology, establishing a wireless connection between your hearing aid and the phone. Overall communication and clarity will be improved so you can be sure you will hear your daughter’s voice on the phone.

They were never intended to treat hearing loss

This could come as a shock because so many individuals think otherwise. These amplifiers were never intended to treat hearing loss. They were made to help people who have relatively good hearing hear things a little louder.

Cheap devices might help a little if you only have minor hearing loss. But individuals who actually need hearing aids won’t find these cheaper devices very helpful.

Where can you get quality affordable hearing aids?

Getting affordable quality hearing aids is not hard. Insurance or other third parties might cover them. You can also find financing options, leasing programs, and more affordable brands. If you suspect you have hearing loss, start by getting checked out. Make an appointment with us so we can help you find the best and most affordable hearing aids for your level and type of hearing loss.