The Truth About Cheap “Hearing Aids”

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

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

With hearing aids, the axiom “you get what you pay for” is particularly relevant. This means eliminating the devices that are priced in the “too good to be true” range, not necessarily opting for the most costly option. Consumers need to recognize that important information is frequently excluded from the marketing campaigns of cheap hearing aids.

They usually just amplify sound

Cheap “hearing aids” usually offer limited functionality, primarily amplifying or reducing overall volume. When you simply amplify everything, the sounds you want to hear better are amplified but so are unwanted background sounds you don’t want.

If everything is louder, it completely defeats the purpose of having a hearing aid.

Contrastingly, a high-quality, modern hearing aid goes beyond mere volume adjustment. It minimizes background sound while skillfully managing sound and improving clarity. Authentic hearing aids are tuned to your particular hearing needs, closely mimicking natural hearing with increased accuracy.

PSAPs vs. Hearing Aids

There are stringent rules about what an advertiser can call a hearing aid as published by the Food and Drug Administration.

Regrettably, there are many devices out there that market themselves as hearing aids when they’re 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 sellers, particularly online, that may be misinformed about what defines the difference between hearing aids and PSAPs, and consequently, they put out misleading claims about their products. Some even incorrectly 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 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.

A cheap hearing device typically results in overall volume amplification. However, if you have trouble with certain frequencies, merely increasing the volume will be insufficient. And turning up the overall volume could lead to added damage to your hearing because the frequencies you don’t struggle with will be roaring in your ears.

High-quality hearing aids can be programmed to boost selected frequencies offering 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.

You might get a lot of feedback

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 jiggles around. What does this sound like? An ear-shattering screech.

They normally don’t have cellphone support

Functionality is frequently sacrificed when choosing budget devices, and this holds true for many inexpensive hearing aids lacking Bluetooth capability. When considering phone connectivity, the lack of Bluetooth is a huge obstacle. 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 brushing against the phone, making it even more difficult to hear the person on the other end.

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

They were never intended to treat hearing loss

Most individuals would most likely be surprised by this. These amplifiers were never intended to treat hearing loss. They were designed to amplify sound for people who have relatively good hearing.

Cheap devices might help a little if you only have minor hearing loss. But individuals who actually need hearing aids won’t find these cheaper devices very useful.

Finding quality, affordable hearing aids

Getting affordable quality hearing aids is not hard. Insurance or other third parties may cover them. You can also find financing options, leasing plans, and more affordable brands. If you suspect you have hearing loss, begin 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!