There are a couple different ways to interpret the term “cheap hearing aids”. On the one hand, it implies affordability, a sensible choice for a budget-conscious person. On the other hand, it indicates low-quality, turning an apparently economical purchase into a not-so-smart decision, epitomized by the saying “You get what you pay for”.
Regrettably, distinguishing between a thrifty purchase and an item of minimal value is frequently tricky. This is especially true in the realm of hearing aids.
With hearing aids, the saying “you get what you pay for” rings particularly relevant. This doesn’t necessarily mean picking the top-tier option, but rather, looking closely at offerings that boast a price tag too enticing to be legitimate. Companies marketing cheap hearing devices often omit important details about their products that customers should be aware of.
Cheaper hearing aids are pretty much only amplifiers
Boosting the overall volume is typically the only thing cheap “hearing aids” can handle. When you merely amplify everything, the sounds you want to hear better are amplified but so are unwanted background noise you don’t want.
If everything is louder, it totally defeats the purpose of having a hearing aid.
On the other hand, a high-quality, modern hearing aid goes beyond simple volume adjustment. It skillfully manages sound, maximizing the clarity of desired sounds while reducing background noise. Authentic hearing aids are tuned to your distinct hearing requirements, closely simulating natural hearing with greater accuracy.
Hearing aids vs. PSAPs
The Food and Drug Administration has drafted guidelines for companies who sell hearing devices and have strict rules as to what can be labeled hearing aids.
Regrettably, there are many devices out there that market themselves as hearing aids when they are actually personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), named this because they can only amplify sound.
Most reputable providers follow the rules. But there are some sellers, especially online, that might be misinformed about what defines the difference between hearing aids and PSAPs, and as a result, they put out misleading claims about their products. Some even falsely advertise that they are approved by the FDA.
They aren’t helpful for most types of hearing loss
The gradual loss of hearing usually involves difficulty with particular frequencies rather than an abrupt total loss. You might have a difficult time understanding a little kid or a woman, for example, but you have no problem understanding a man with a low voice.
You get total amplification with cheap hearing aids. But just turning up the total volume will not be adequate for people who have a tough time hearing specific frequencies. And turning the overall volume up could lead to added damage to your hearing because the frequencies you don’t struggle with will be booming in your ears.
High-quality hearing aids offer a solution by being programmable to compensate for the loss of particular frequencies. They provide a more personalized hearing experience by shifting frequencies you can’t hear very well to frequencies you hear better.
You might get a lot of feedback
Cheap hearing aids are usually not custom fit to your ears. A feedback loop is often the result of poorly fitting hearing aids. As the speaker in your ear jiggles around, the microphone picks up the sound. What does this sound like? An ear-shattering screech.
They normally don’t have cellphone support
Functionality is often sacrificed when opting for budget devices, and this is true for lots of inexpensive hearing aids lacking Bluetooth connectivity. The absence of Bluetooth becomes critical when thinking about phone connectivity. With cheaper hearing devices, when you try to amplify phone calls, your device will amplify every little sound, like your ears or lips brushing against the phone, or clothing and hair.
On the other hand, digital hearing aids utilize 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 certain you will hear your daughter’s voice on the phone.
They were never meant to treat hearing loss
Most people would probably be surprised by this. These amplifiers were never intended to treat hearing loss. They were made to amplify sound for individuals who have fairly good hearing.
Cheap devices might help a little if you only have slight hearing loss. But people who actually need hearing aids won’t find these cheaper devices very useful.
Finding quality, affordable hearing aids
Obtaining affordable quality hearing aids is not hard. Insurance or other third parties may cover them. There are also affordable brands, leasing plans, and financing options. The first step is to get a hearing assessment if you suspect you might have hearing loss. 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.
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References
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/consumer-products/hearing-aids