The word “cheap” has dual meanings. On the one hand, it indicates affordability, a wise choice for a budget-conscious individual. But we’ve all heard the phrase “You get what you pay for”, and in this case, the term “cheap” implies low-quality hearing aids.
Regrettably, distinguishing between a thrifty purchase and an item of negligible value is frequently tricky. This is particularly relevant in terms of hearing aids.
The saying “you get what you pay for” is especially relevant with hearing aids. This doesn’t necessarily imply opting for the top-tier option, but instead, scrutinizing offerings that boast a price tag too tempting to be authentic. Consumers need to be aware that important information is frequently excluded from the marketing campaigns of cheap hearing aids.
They often just amplify sound
Cheap “hearing aids” generally offer limited functionality, primarily amplifying or reducing overall volume. When you just amplify everything, the sounds you want to hear better are amplified but so are unwanted background noise you don’t want.
If everything is louder, it entirely defeats the purpose of having a hearing aid.
A contemporary state-of-the-art hearing aid, in contrast, does a lot more than simply crank the volume up. It decreases background noise while skillfully managing sound and maximizing clarity. Real hearing aids simulate natural hearing with great accuracy and are custom programmed to your specific hearing needs.
PSAPs vs. Hearing Aids
There are strict 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 are technically personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), named such because they can only amplify sound.
There are many legitimate and reputable companies that comply with proper marketing. 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 statements about their products. You may even find some that claim that they’re FDA-approved when that’s actually false.
For most types of hearing loss they won’t be helpful at all
The progressive loss of hearing frequently involves trouble hearing specific frequencies instead of an abrupt complete loss. For instance, you might have no trouble hearing a man with a low voice, but have difficulty with a woman’s or child’s voice, finding it difficult to understand.
A cheap hearing device usually results in overall volume amplification. However, if you have trouble with particular frequencies, just increasing the volume proves insufficient. And turning the overall volume up could result in added damage to your hearing because the frequencies you don’t struggle with will be booming in your ears.
High-quality hearing aids offer a solution by being programmable to compensate for the loss of particular frequencies. They provide a more customized hearing experience by shifting frequencies you can’t hear very well to frequencies you hear better.
Feedback can be a problem
Cheap hearing aids are typically not custom fit to your ears. A feedback loop is frequently the result of poorly fitting hearing aids. The microphone picks up the sound from the speaker in your ear as it jiggles around. This will generate a deafening screech.
They normally don’t have cellphone support
Functionality is frequently sacrificed when opting for budget devices, and this holds true for lots of inexpensive hearing aids lacking Bluetooth capability. When thinking about phone connectivity, the lack of Bluetooth is a significant hurdle. With cheaper hearing devices, when you attempt to amplify phone calls, your device will amplify every little sound, like your ears or lips brushing on the phone, or clothing and hair.
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 talks on the other end, her voice is transmitted directly into your hearing aids, enhancing clarity and overall communication.
They were never meant to treat hearing loss
This could come as a shock because so many people think otherwise. These amplifiers were never intended to treat 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 may help a little. But people who actually need hearing aids won’t find these cheaper devices that useful.
Where can you get quality affordable hearing aids?
There are lots of ways to get hearing aids affordably. They may even be covered by insurance or other third parties. You can also find financing possibilities, leasing programs, and more affordable brands. The first step is to get a hearing test if you suspect you might have hearing loss. Make 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