“Cheap Hearing Aids” What You Should Know

There are a couple different ways to think about the term “cheap hearing aids”. On the one hand, it signifies 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 word “cheap” implies low-quality hearing aids.

Regrettably, distinguishing between a thrifty purchase and an item of negligible value is frequently challenging. When it comes to hearing aids, this couldn’t be more valid.

With hearing aids, the axiom “you get what you pay for” is particularly true. This doesn’t necessarily imply picking the top-tier option, but rather, looking closely at products that boast a price tag too appealing to be legitimate. Companies marketing inexpensive hearing devices often leave out essential details about their products that customers should know about.

Cheaper hearing aids are basically only amplifiers

Increasing the overall volume is typically the only thing cheap “hearing aids” can handle. When you merely amplify everything, the sounds you want to hear better are amplified but so are undesirable background sounds you don’t want.

If everything is louder, it entirely defeats the purpose of using a hearing aid.

A modern state-of-the-art hearing aid, in contrast, does a lot more than just crank the volume up. It minimizes background noise while skillfully managing sound and improving clarity. Authentic hearing aids are tuned to your distinct hearing needs, closely mimicking natural hearing with better accuracy.

PSAPs vs. Hearing Aids

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

Sadly, there are many devices out there that market themselves as hearing aids when they’re technically personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), named such because they can only amplify sound.

There are many legit and reputable providers that comply with proper 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. You may even find some that claim that they are FDA-approved when that’s actually not true.

They’re not inclusive for the majority of kinds of hearing loss

The slow loss of hearing usually involves trouble hearing particular frequencies rather than an abrupt total loss. You might have a hard time understanding a little kid or a woman, for instance, but you have no problem understanding a man with a low voice.

A cheap hearing device typically results in overall volume amplification. But, if you struggle with specific frequencies, merely increasing the volume proves inadequate. Furthermore, turning the volume up substantially to catch the sound of your granddaughter playing on the floor may result in your adult son’s speech sounding like a roar, potentially contributing to hearing loss if subjected to high volumes for prolonged periods.

High-quality hearing aids can be programmed to increase selected frequencies offering a much better solution. They can instantly adjust the frequency you struggle to hear to one that is more audible, delivering a more customized and effective hearing experience.

You may get a lot of feedback

You won’t get a custom fit with cheap hearing aids. 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 result in a deafening screech.

They normally won’t help you on your cellphone

Functionality is often sacrificed when choosing budget options, and this holds true for many inexpensive hearing aids lacking Bluetooth capability. The lack of Bluetooth becomes crucial when considering phone connectivity. With cheaper hearing devices, when you attempt to amplify phone calls, your device will amplify every little sound, like your ears or lips brushing against the phone, or clothing and hair.

In contrast, digital hearing aids use telecoil or Bluetooth technology, establishing a wireless connection between your hearing aid and the phone. Overall communication and clarity will be enhanced so you can be sure you will hear your daughter’s voice on the phone.

They’re not designed for people with hearing loss

Most people would probably be surprised by this. PSAPs were never made for people with hearing loss. They were made to amplify sound for individuals who have relatively good hearing.

If you have very slight hearing loss then cheap devices might help a little. But they won’t be of much use for people who actually need hearing aids.

Finding quality, affordable hearing aids

Obtaining affordable quality hearing aids is not difficult. Insurance or other third parties might cover them. You can also find financing options, leasing programs, and more affordable brands. If you suspect you have hearing loss, begin by getting checked out. Schedule an appointment with us so we can help you get the best and most affordable hearing aids for your degree and type of hearing loss.