“Cheap Hearing Aids” What You Should Know

There are a couple different ways to think about the word “cheap hearing aids”. On the one hand, it signifies affordability, a sensible option for a budget-conscious individual. But we’ve all heard the saying “You get what you pay for”, and in this case, the word “cheap” implies low-quality hearing aids.

Unfortunately, determining whether you’re getting a great value from whether you’re buying a very low-quality device can be challenging. With regard to hearing aids, this couldn’t be more true.

The adage “you get what you pay for” is especially potent with hearing aids. This means eliminating the devices that are priced in the “too good to be true” range, not automatically opting for the most expensive option. Customers need to recognize that important information is often left out of the marketing campaigns of cheap hearing aids.

They typically just amplify sound

Cheap “hearing aids” typically offer minimal functionality, mainly amplifying or reducing overall volume. If you amplify the volume to hear the TV better, you’ll also get background noises including the dishwasher, a fan in another room, a barking dog, or the sound of your house slippers going across the floor.

The purpose of having a hearing aid is entirely defeated if it also amplifies unwanted sound.

On the other hand, a high-quality, modern hearing aid goes beyond simple volume adjustment. It decreases background sound while skillfully managing sound and maximizing clarity. Genuine hearing aids are tuned to your specific hearing requirements, closely mimicking natural hearing with increased accuracy.

PSAPs vs. Hearing Aids

The Food and Drug Administration has written guidelines for companies who sell hearing devices and have strict rules as to what can be called hearing aids.

Unfortunately, many personal sound amplification products PSAPs are falsely marketed as hearing aids even though they only amplify sound.

Most reputable providers comply. But you might find some uninformed salespeople or products on Amazon or eBay that deceive consumers into thinking that these devices meet the classification of a hearing aid. Some even incorrectly advertise that they are approved by the FDA.

They’re not helpful for the majority of types of hearing loss

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

A cheap hearing device typically results in total volume amplification. But just cranking up the overall volume will not be sufficient for individuals who have a difficult time hearing particular frequencies. Furthermore, turning the volume up significantly to hear the sound of your granddaughter playing on the floor may lead to your adult son’s speech sounding like a roar, possibly contributing to hearing loss if subjected to high volumes for extended periods.

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

You might get a lot of feedback

Cheap hearing aids are typically not custom fit to your ears. A feedback loop is frequently the outcome 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 normally won’t help you on your cellphone

When people are looking for a budget-friendly device, they often sacrifice functionality like Bluetooth connectivity. When thinking about phone connectivity, the lack of Bluetooth is a major hurdle. Trying to amplify a cheap hearing aid while on the phone results in capturing not only the caller’s voice but also the sounds of your ear, lips, clothing, and hair rubbing against the phone, making it even more difficult to hear the person on the other end.

In contrast, digital hearing aids utilize telecoil or Bluetooth technology, establishing a wireless connection between your hearing aid and the phone. This advanced feature ensures that when your daughter talks on the other end, her voice is sent directly into your hearing aids, improving clarity and overall communication.

They aren’t made for people with hearing loss

Most people would most likely be surprised by this. These amplifiers were never meant to treat hearing loss. They were made to help individuals who have relatively good hearing hear things a little louder.

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

Finding quality, affordable hearing aids

Getting affordable quality hearing aids isn’t hard. Insurance or other third parties might cover them. You can also find financing possibilities, leasing plans, and more affordable brands. If you think you have hearing loss, begin by getting checked out. Call us today for a consultation, we can help decide what’s best for you, depending on your level and type of hearing loss, and make certain you get a pair that won’t break the bank!