The Truth About Cheap “Hearing Aids”

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

Unfortunately, deciding if you’re getting a great value from whether you’re buying a really low-quality device can be tricky. With regard to hearing aids, this couldn’t be more valid.

The adage “you get what you pay for” is particularly potent with hearing aids. This doesn’t necessarily mean going for the top-tier option, but instead, looking closely at offerings that boast a price tag too appealing to be authentic. Customers need to be aware that essential information is often left out of the marketing campaigns of cheap hearing aids.

They often just amplify sound

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

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

On the other hand, a high-quality, contemporary hearing aid goes beyond mere volume adjustment. It expertly manages sound, maximizing the clarity of desired sounds while reducing background noise. Authentic hearing aids are tailored to your specific hearing needs, closely simulating natural hearing with greater accuracy.

PSAPs vs. Hearing Aids

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

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

There are many legitimate and reputable companies that comply with appropriate marketing. But you might find some uninformed salespeople or products on Amazon or eBay that deceive consumers into thinking that these devices meet the definition of a hearing aid. You might even find some that state that they’re approved by the FDA when that’s actually false.

They aren’t helpful for most kinds of hearing loss

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

You get total amplification with cheap hearing aids. But simply cranking up the total volume will not be adequate for individuals who have a hard time hearing particular frequencies. And turning the overall volume up could lead to additional 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 boost selected frequencies providing a much better solution. They provide a more customized hearing experience by shifting frequencies you can’t hear very well to frequencies you hear better.

Feedback can be a problem

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 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 capability. When thinking about phone connectivity, the lack of Bluetooth is a major hurdle. Attempting to amplify a cheap hearing aid while on the phone leads to capturing not only the caller’s voice but also the sounds of your ear, lips, clothing, and hair brushing against the phone, making it even more challenging to hear the person on the other end.

More advanced hearing aids are digital and use Bluetooth connectivity to connect directly to your 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 were never intended to treat hearing loss

This might come as a surprise because so many people think otherwise. PSAPs were never designed for people with hearing loss. They were made to amplify sound for individuals who have relatively good hearing.

If you have very mild hearing loss then cheap devices may help a little. But individuals who actually need hearing aids won’t find these cheaper devices that helpful.

Where can you get quality affordable hearing aids?

Getting affordable quality hearing aids isn’t hard. They might even be covered by insurance or other third parties. There are also affordable brands, leasing plans, and financing options. The first step is to get a hearing test if you suspect you might have hearing loss. Call us today for a consultation, we can help figure out what’s best for you, depending on your level and type of hearing loss, and make sure you land a pair that won’t break the bank!

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