There are a couple different ways to think about the term “cheap hearing aids”. For someone on a tight budget, it means “affordability”. On the other hand, it implies low-quality, turning an apparently economical purchase into a not-so-smart choice, epitomized by the saying “You get what you pay for”.
Unfortunately, deciding if you’re getting a great deal from whether you’re buying a really low-quality device can be difficult. This is especially relevant in terms of hearing aids.
The adage “you get what you pay for” is particularly potent with hearing aids. This means weeding out the devices that are priced in the “too good to be true” zone, not necessarily opting for the most costly option. Customers need to be aware that important information is frequently excluded from the marketing campaigns of cheap hearing aids.
They typically just amplify sound
Cheap “hearing aids” usually offer limited functionality, mainly amplifying or reducing overall volume. If you boost the volume to hear the TV better, you’ll also get background noises like the dishwasher, a fan in a different 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.
On the other hand, a high-quality, modern hearing aid goes beyond mere volume adjustment. It expertly manages sound, improving the clarity of desired sounds while reducing background sound. Real hearing aids mimic natural hearing with great accuracy and are custom tuned to your specific hearing needs.
PSAPs vs. Hearing Aids
The Food and Drug Administration has drafted guidelines for those who sell hearing devices and have strict rules as to what can be called hearing aids.
Unfortunately, many personal sound amplification products PSAPs are wrongly advertised as hearing aids even though they only amplify sound.
The majority of reputable companies follow the rules. But there are some sellers, particularly online, that might be misinformed about what defines the difference between hearing aids and PSAPs, and consequently, they put out misleading statements about their products. Some even falsely advertise that they are FDA-approved.
For the majority of kinds of hearing loss they won’t be helpful at all
The progressive loss of hearing usually involves difficulty with specific frequencies rather than an abrupt complete loss. For instance, 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.
You get overall amplification with cheap hearing aids. But just cranking up the total volume will not be adequate for people who have a tough time hearing particular frequencies. And turning the overall volume up could lead to additional damage to your hearing because the frequencies you don’t have trouble with will be roaring in your ears.
High-quality hearing aids can be programmed to boost particular frequencies providing a much better solution. They provide a more customized hearing experience by shifting frequencies you can’t hear very well to frequencies you hear better.
You may get a lot of feedback
Cheap hearing aids are usually not custom fit to your ears. Without that custom fit, you’ll create a feedback loop. The microphone picks up the sound from the speaker in your ear as it wiggles around. This will generate a deafening screech.
They usually don’t have cellphone support
When people are looking for a budget-friendly device, they often sacrifice functionality like Bluetooth capability. When thinking about phone connectivity, the absence of Bluetooth is a major obstacle. Attempting to amplify a cheap hearing aid while on the phone results in 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.
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 improved so you can be sure you will hear your daughter’s voice on the phone.
They’re not made for people with hearing loss
This might come as a surprise because so many individuals think otherwise. These amplifiers were never intended to treat hearing loss. They were designed to amplify sound for individuals who have relatively good hearing.
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 very helpful.
Where can you get quality affordable hearing aids?
Obtaining affordable quality hearing aids isn’t hard. Insurance or other third parties may cover them. There are also affordable brands, leasing programs, and financing options. The first step is to get a hearing assessment if you suspect you might have hearing loss. Schedule 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