“Cheap Hearing Aids” What You Should Know

There are a couple different ways to interpret the word “cheap hearing aids”. On the one hand, it implies affordability, a practical 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” indicates low-quality hearing aids.

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

The adage “you get what you pay for” is especially potent with hearing aids. This doesn’t always mean opting for the top-tier option, but rather, scrutinizing products that boast a price tag too appealing to be authentic. Companies marketing cheap hearing devices often leave out important details about their products that customers should know about.

They often just amplify sound

Boosting the overall volume is usually the only thing cheap “hearing aids” can handle. If you amplify the volume to hear the TV better, you’ll also pick up 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 having a hearing aid.

A contemporary state-of-the-art hearing aid, in comparison, does a lot more than simply turn up the volume. It decreases background sound while skillfully managing sound and maximizing clarity. Real hearing aids simulate natural hearing with great accuracy and are custom programmed to your particular hearing needs.

PSAPs vs. Hearing Aids

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

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

There are many legit and reputable companies that comply with proper 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 claim that they’re approved by the FDA when that’s actually not true.

For most kinds of hearing loss they won’t be helpful at all

The slow loss of hearing frequently involves difficulty with particular frequencies instead of an abrupt total loss. You might have a difficult time understanding a small child or a woman, for instance, but you have no problem understanding a man with a low voice.

You get overall amplification with cheap hearing aids. But simply cranking up the total volume will not be adequate for people who have a tough time hearing particular frequencies. Furthermore, turning the volume up substantially to hear the sound of your granddaughter playing on the floor may result in 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 boost selected frequencies offering a much better solution. They can instantly adjust the frequency you struggle to hear to one that is more audible, delivering a more tailored and reliable hearing experience.

Feedback can be an issue

You won’t get a custom fit with cheap hearing aids. A feedback loop is frequently the result of poorly fitting hearing aids. As the speaker in your ear wiggles 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 frequently sacrificed when opting for budget options, and this is true for many inexpensive hearing aids lacking Bluetooth capability. When thinking about phone connectivity, the lack of Bluetooth is a significant obstacle. With cheaper hearing devices, when you attempt to amplify phone calls, your device will amplify every little sound, like your lips or ears rubbing against the phone, or clothing and hair.

On the other hand, digital hearing aids use telecoil or Bluetooth technology, creating a wireless connection between your hearing aid and the phone. This state-of-the-art feature ensures that when your daughter speaks on the other end, her voice is sent directly into your hearing aids, improving 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 intended to treat hearing loss. They were made to amplify sound for people who have fairly good hearing.

If you have very slight 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 difficult. 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 think you may have hearing loss. Call us today for a consultation, we can help figure out what’s best for you, depending on your degree and type of hearing loss, and make sure you land a pair that won’t break the bank!