“Cheap Hearing Aids” What You Should Know

The term “cheap” has dual meanings. On the one hand, it indicates affordability, a smart option for a budget-conscious person. But we’ve all heard the phrase “You get what you pay for”, and in this case, the word “cheap” implies low-quality hearing aids.

Regrettably, distinguishing between a thrifty purchase and an item of negligible value is frequently challenging. This is particularly relevant in the realm of hearing aids.

With hearing aids, the saying “you get what you pay for” rings particularly relevant. This doesn’t necessarily imply picking the top-tier option, but rather, scrutinizing offerings that boast a price tag too enticing to be genuine. Customers need to be aware that important information is frequently excluded from the marketing campaigns of cheap hearing aids.

They often just amplify sound

Boosting the overall volume is typically the only thing cheap “hearing aids” are capable of. 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 totally defeated if it also amplifies undesirable sound.

A modern state-of-the-art hearing aid, in comparison, does a lot more than simply turn up the volume. It skillfully manages sound, enhancing the clarity of desired sounds while tuning out background noise. Authentic hearing aids simulate natural hearing with great accuracy and are custom tuned to your specific hearing needs.

PSAPs vs. Hearing Aids

The Food and Drug Administration has written guidelines for those who sell hearing devices and have stringent rules as to what can be labeled hearing aids.

Unfortunately, many personal sound amplification products PSAPs are wrongly advertised as hearing aids even though they just amplify sound.

The majority of reputable companies follow the rules. But there are some vendors, especially online, that may be misinformed about what characterizes 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 FDA-approved.

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

The gradual loss of hearing usually involves trouble hearing specific frequencies rather than a sudden complete loss. For example, you might have no problems 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 usually results in total volume amplification. But simply turning up the total volume will not be adequate for individuals who have a tough time hearing specific frequencies. Moreover, turning the volume up significantly to catch the sound of your granddaughter playing on the floor might result in your adult son’s voice sounding like a roar, possibly contributing 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 offer a more customized hearing experience by shifting frequencies you can’t hear very well to frequencies you hear better.

You might get a lot of feedback

You won’t get a custom fit with cheap hearing aids. A feedback loop is often the outcome 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 won’t help you on your cellphone

Functionality is frequently sacrificed when opting for budget options, and this is true for lots of inexpensive hearing aids lacking Bluetooth connectivity. When thinking about phone connectivity, the lack of Bluetooth is a huge obstacle. With cheaper hearing devices, when you attempt to amplify phone calls, your device will amplify every little sound, like your ears or lips brushing on 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. Overall communication and clarity will be enhanced so you can be certain you will hear your daughter’s voice on the phone.

They’re not designed for individuals with hearing loss

This could come as a shock because so many individuals think otherwise. 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 mild hearing loss then cheap devices may help a little. But they won’t be of much help for people who actually need hearing aids.

Finding quality, affordable hearing aids

There are many ways to get hearing aids affordably. Insurance or other third parties might cover them. There are also affordable brands, leasing plans, and financing possibilities. If you think you have hearing loss, start by getting checked out. 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!