The word “cheap” has dual meanings. On the one hand, it indicates affordability, a smart choice for a budget-conscious individual. Conversely, it implies low-quality, turning an apparently economical purchase into a not-so-smart decision, epitomized by the saying “You get what you pay for”.
Unfortunately, determining whether you’re getting a great value from whether you’re getting a very low-quality device can be challenging. This is particularly relevant in the realm of hearing aids.
The saying “you get what you pay for” is particularly relevant with hearing aids. This means weeding out the devices that are priced in the “too good to be true” range, not automatically going for the most expensive option. Customers need to be aware that important information is often left out of the marketing campaigns of cheap hearing aids.
They typically just amplify sound
Cheap “hearing aids” generally provide minimal functionality, primarily amplifying or reducing overall volume. When you merely amplify everything, the sounds you want to hear better are amplified but so are undesirable background sounds you don’t want.
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 much more than simply turn the volume up. It minimizes background noise while skillfully managing sound and maximizing clarity. Real hearing aids mimic natural hearing with great accuracy and are custom programmed to your specific hearing needs.
PSAPs vs. Hearing Aids
There are strict 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 wrongly sold as hearing aids even though they just amplify sound.
The majority of reputable companies comply. But there are some sellers, particularly 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 FDA-approved.
They aren’t inclusive for most types of hearing loss
The progressive loss of hearing frequently involves trouble hearing particular frequencies instead of a sudden complete loss. For example, you might have no trouble hearing a man with a low voice, but struggle with a woman’s or child’s voice, finding it challenging to understand.
You get overall amplification with cheap hearing aids. But simply turning up the total volume will not be sufficient for individuals who have a hard time hearing specific frequencies. Moreover, turning the volume up considerably to hear the sound of your granddaughter playing on the floor might result in your adult son’s speech 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 particular frequencies providing a much better solution. They offer a more personalized 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. A feedback loop is frequently the consequence of poorly fitting hearing aids. The microphone picks up the sound from the speaker in your ear as it wiggles around. This will result in a deafening screech.
They usually don’t have cellphone support
When individuals are looking for a budget-friendly device, they often sacrifice functionality like Bluetooth capability. The lack of Bluetooth becomes crucial when considering phone connectivity. 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 rubbing against the phone, making it even more difficult to hear the person on the other end.
In comparison, digital hearing aids utilize 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, enhancing clarity and overall communication.
They aren’t designed for people with hearing loss
Most people would probably be surprised by this. These amplifiers were never meant to treat hearing loss. They were designed to help individuals who have fairly good hearing hear things a little louder.
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?
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 may have hearing loss. Make an appointment with us so we can help you find the best and most affordable hearing aids for your degree and type of hearing loss.
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References
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/consumer-products/hearing-aids