There are a couple different ways to think about the term “cheap hearing aids”. On the one hand, it indicates affordability, a wise choice for a budget-conscious individual. On the other hand, it implies low-quality, turning a seemingly economical purchase into a not-so-smart choice, epitomized by the adage “You get what you pay for”.

Regrettably, distinguishing between an economical purchase and an item of negligible value is often tricky. This is especially relevant in the realm of hearing aids.

With hearing aids, the saying “you get what you pay for” rings especially true. This means weeding out the devices that are priced in the “too good to be true” range, not automatically opting for the most expensive option. Companies marketing inexpensive hearing devices frequently omit important details about their products that customers should be aware of.

They typically just amplify sound

Cheap “hearing aids” generally offer minimal functionality, primarily amplifying or reducing overall volume. If you amplify 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 slippers moving across the floor.

The purpose of having a hearing aid is totally defeated if it also amplifies unwanted sound.

On the other hand, a high-quality, modern hearing aid goes beyond mere volume adjustment. It reduces background noise while skillfully managing sound and enhancing clarity. Real hearing aids mimic natural hearing with great accuracy and are custom programmed to your specific hearing needs.

Hearing aids vs. PSAPs

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 inaccurately advertised as hearing aids even though they just amplify sound.

There are many legit and reputable companies that comply with appropriate marketing. But there are some vendors, particularly online, that may be misinformed about what characterizes 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 approved by the FDA.

For most kinds of hearing loss they won’t be helpful at all

The majority of people who lose their hearing will gradually lose certain frequencies of sound before others. 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 difficult to comprehend.

A cheap hearing device usually results in overall volume amplification. But simply cranking up the total volume will not be sufficient for individuals who have a difficult time hearing certain frequencies. Moreover, turning up the volume substantially to catch the sound of your granddaughter playing on the floor might result in your adult son’s voice sounding like a roar, potentially contributing to hearing loss if subjected to high volumes for extended periods.

High-quality hearing aids provide a solution by being programmable to compensate for the loss of specific frequencies. They can automatically adjust the frequency you struggle to hear to one that is more audible, delivering a more tailored and effective hearing experience.

You might get a lot of feedback

You won’t get a custom fit with cheap hearing aids. A feedback loop is often 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 usually don’t have cellphone support

When people are looking for a budget-friendly device, they frequently sacrifice functionality like Bluetooth connectivity. The absence of Bluetooth becomes critical when considering phone connectivity. Trying 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.

More sophisticated hearing aids are digital and use Bluetooth connectivity to connect directly to your phone. Overall communication and clarity will be improved so you can be sure you will hear your daughter’s voice on the phone.

They aren’t designed 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 that useful.

Finding quality, affordable hearing aids

Obtaining affordable quality hearing aids isn’t difficult. They may even be covered by insurance or other third parties. You can also find financing possibilities, leasing programs, and more affordable brands. If you suspect you have hearing loss, start by getting checked out. Call us today for a consultation, we can help decide 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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