“Cheap Hearing Aids” What You Should Know

The term “cheap” carries dual meanings. On the one hand, it implies affordability, a smart choice for a budget-conscious person. Conversely, it indicates low-quality, turning a seemingly economical purchase into a not-so-smart decision, epitomized by the saying “You get what you pay for”.

Regrettably, distinguishing between a thrifty purchase and an item of negligible value is frequently tricky. This is particularly true in terms of hearing aids.

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 instead, scrutinizing offerings that boast a price tag too tempting to be genuine. Companies marketing cheap hearing devices frequently leave out important details about their products that customers should be aware of.

Cheaper hearing aids are basically only amplifiers

Increasing the overall volume is typically the only thing cheap “hearing aids” are capable of. If you amplify the volume to hear the TV better, you’ll also get background noises including the dishwasher, a fan in another room, a barking dog, or the sound of your house shoes going across the floor.

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

Contrastingly, a high-quality, modern hearing aid goes beyond simple volume adjustment. It minimizes background noise while expertly managing sound and enhancing clarity. Authentic hearing aids mimic natural hearing with great accuracy and are custom programmed to your particular hearing needs.

Hearing aids vs. PSAPs

The Food and Drug Administration has drafted guidelines for companies who sell hearing devices and have strict rules as to what can be called hearing aids.

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

There are lots of legitimate and reputable providers that comply with correct marketing. But there are some vendors, particularly online, that might be misinformed about what characterizes the difference between hearing aids and PSAPs, and consequently, they put out misleading claims about their products. Some even inaccurately advertise that they are approved by the FDA.

They aren’t helpful for most types of hearing loss

The gradual loss of hearing frequently involves difficulty with particular frequencies rather than a sudden total loss. 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 challenging to comprehend.

A cheap hearing device usually results in overall volume amplification. But just turning up the total volume will not be adequate for people who have a tough time hearing particular frequencies. And turning up the overall volume could lead to added damage to your hearing because the frequencies you don’t have trouble with will be booming in your ears.

High-quality hearing aids provide a solution by being programmable to make up for the loss of specific frequencies. They offer a more personalized hearing experience by shifting frequencies you can’t hear very well to frequencies you hear better.

You might get a lot of feedback

Cheap hearing aids are generally not custom fit to your ears. Without that custom fit, you’ll generate 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 typically won’t help you on your cellphone

Functionality is frequently sacrificed when opting for budget options, and this is true for many inexpensive hearing aids lacking Bluetooth connectivity. When thinking about phone connectivity, the absence of Bluetooth is a major obstacle. Attempting to amplify a cheap hearing aid while on the phone leads to 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 difficult to hear the person on the other end.

More sophisticated hearing aids are digital and utilize Bluetooth connectivity to connect directly to your phone. This state-of-the-art feature ensures that when your daughter talks on the other end, her voice is sent directly into your hearing aids, enhancing clarity and overall communication.

They were never intended to treat hearing loss

This may come as a shock because so many individuals think otherwise. PSAPs were never designed for individuals with hearing loss. They were designed to help people who have relatively good hearing hear things a little louder.

If you have very mild hearing loss then cheap devices might 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 is not difficult. Insurance or other third parties might cover them. You can also find financing possibilities, leasing programs, and more affordable brands. The first step is to get a hearing assessment if you think you might have hearing loss. Call us today for a consultation, we can help decide what’s best for you, depending on your degree and type of hearing loss, and make sure you get a pair that won’t break the bank!