“Cheap Hearing Aids” What You Should Know

The word “cheap” has dual meanings. For somebody on a tight budget, it means “affordability”. But we’ve all heard the saying “You get what you pay for”, and in this case, the term “cheap” indicates low-quality hearing aids.

Regrettably, distinguishing between a thrifty purchase and an item of minimal value is frequently tricky. With regard to hearing aids, this couldn’t be more true.

With hearing aids, the axiom “you get what you pay for” is especially valid. This doesn’t always imply opting for the top-tier option, but instead, scrutinizing products that boast a price tag too appealing to be genuine. Consumers need to be aware that important information is frequently excluded from the marketing campaigns of cheap hearing aids.

Cheaper hearing aids are pretty much only amplifiers

Boosting the overall volume is usually the only thing cheap “hearing aids” are capable of. When you simply amplify everything, the sounds you want to hear better are amplified but so are unwanted background noise you don’t want.

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

Contrastingly, a high-quality, contemporary hearing aid goes beyond mere volume adjustment. It expertly manages sound, improving the clarity of desired sounds while tuning out background noise. Real hearing aids simulate natural hearing with great accuracy and are custom tuned to your particular hearing needs.

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.

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.

The majority of reputable companies comply. But there are some vendors, particularly online, that might 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 inaccurately advertise that they are FDA-approved.

For the majority of types of hearing loss they won’t be helpful at all

The gradual loss of hearing often involves difficulty with particular frequencies instead of a sudden total loss. You might have a difficult time understanding a small child or a woman, for instance, but you have no issue understanding a man with a low voice.

You get total amplification with cheap hearing aids. But simply cranking up the overall volume will not be sufficient for people who have a difficult time hearing specific frequencies. Furthermore, turning the volume up significantly to catch the sound of your granddaughter playing on the floor may lead to your adult son’s speech sounding like a roar, possibly contributing to hearing loss if exposed to high volumes for extended periods.

High-quality hearing aids can be programmed to boost particular 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 may 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 wiggles around, the microphone picks up the sound. What does this sound like? An ear-shattering screech.

They normally don’t have cellphone support

Functionality is often sacrificed when opting for budget devices, and this holds true for lots of inexpensive hearing aids lacking Bluetooth capability. When considering phone connectivity, the lack of Bluetooth is a significant obstacle. Trying 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.

In comparison, digital hearing aids utilize telecoil or Bluetooth technology, establishing a wireless connection between your hearing aid and the phone. This advanced 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 were never meant to treat hearing loss

Most people would most likely be surprised by this. PSAPs were never designed for individuals with hearing loss. They were made to help people who have fairly good hearing hear things a little louder.

If you have very slight hearing loss then cheap devices might help a little. But individuals who actually need hearing aids won’t find these cheaper devices very useful.

Finding quality, affordable hearing aids

Obtaining affordable quality hearing aids isn’t difficult. Insurance or other third parties may cover them. There are also affordable brands, leasing programs, and financing options. If you think you have hearing loss, start by getting checked out. Call us today for a consultation, we can help figure out what’s best for you, depending on your level and type of hearing loss, and make sure you land a pair that won’t break the bank!