The Truth About Cheap “Hearing Aids”

There are a couple different ways to think about the word “cheap hearing aids”. For somebody on a small budget, it means “affordability”. But we’ve all heard the saying “You get what you pay for”, and in this case, the word “cheap” suggests low-quality hearing aids.

Unfortunately, deciding if you’re getting a great deal from whether you’re getting a really low-quality device can be difficult. This is especially true in terms of hearing aids.

With hearing aids, the axiom “you get what you pay for” rings particularly relevant. This doesn’t always mean picking the top-tier option, but rather, scrutinizing products that boast a price tag too appealing to be legitimate. Companies marketing cheap hearing devices frequently leave out essential details about their products that customers should be aware of.

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 a different room, a barking dog, or the sound of your house shoes moving across the floor.

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

A modern state-of-the-art hearing aid, in contrast, does much more than simply turn up the volume. It decreases background sound while expertly managing sound and maximizing clarity. Genuine hearing aids are tuned to your distinct hearing needs, closely mimicking natural hearing with increased accuracy.

Hearing aids vs. PSAPs

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

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

There are lots of legit and reputable providers that comply with correct marketing. But there are some vendors, particularly online, that might be misinformed about what defines the difference between hearing aids and PSAPs, and as a result, they put out misleading statements about their products. Some even falsely advertise that they are approved by the FDA.

They’re not inclusive for most types of hearing loss

The majority of people who lose their hearing will slowly lose specific frequencies of sound before others. For instance, you might have no trouble hearing a man with a low voice, but have difficulty with a woman’s or child’s voice, finding it difficult to understand.

A cheap hearing device typically results in total volume amplification. But simply cranking up the total volume will not be sufficient for individuals who have a difficult time hearing certain frequencies. And turning the overall volume up could result in additional damage to your hearing because the frequencies you don’t have trouble with will be roaring in your ears.

High-quality hearing aids offer a solution by being programmable to make up for the loss of specific frequencies. They offer a more customized 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 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 won’t help you on your cellphone

When people are looking for a budget-friendly device, they often sacrifice functionality like Bluetooth connectivity. When considering phone connectivity, the lack of Bluetooth is a major obstacle. Attempting 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 rubbing against the phone, making it even more challenging to hear the person on the other end.

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

They aren’t made for individuals with hearing loss

This could come as a shock because so many people think otherwise. These amplifiers were never intended to treat hearing loss. They were made to amplify sound for individuals who have fairly good hearing.

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

Finding quality, affordable hearing aids

There are lots of ways to get hearing aids affordably. Insurance or other third parties might cover them. There are also affordable brands, leasing plans, and financing possibilities. The first step is to get a hearing assessment 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 certain you get a pair that won’t break the bank!

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