The term “cheap” carries dual meanings. For someone on a tight budget, it means “affordability”. 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 minimal value is frequently challenging. With regard to hearing aids, this couldn’t be more relevant.
With hearing aids, the axiom “you get what you pay for” rings particularly relevant. This doesn’t necessarily imply opting for the top-tier option, but instead, looking closely at products that boast a price tag too appealing to be genuine. Customers need to recognize that essential information is frequently excluded from the marketing campaigns of cheap hearing aids.
They often just amplify sound
Boosting the overall volume is usually the only thing cheap “hearing aids” are capable of. When you merely 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 entirely defeats the purpose of having a hearing aid.
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 sound. Genuine hearing aids are tuned to your specific hearing requirements, closely simulating natural hearing with increased accuracy.
Hearing aids vs. PSAPs
There are stringent rules about what an advertiser can call a hearing aid as published by the Food and Drug Administration.
Unfortunately, many personal sound amplification products PSAPs are falsely sold as hearing aids even though they just amplify sound.
Most reputable companies comply. But you might find some uninformed salespeople or products on Amazon or eBay that deceive consumers into thinking that these devices meet the classification of a hearing aid. Some even incorrectly advertise that they are FDA-approved.
They’re not helpful for the majority of types of hearing loss
The slow loss of hearing frequently involves trouble hearing specific frequencies instead of an abrupt total loss. For instance, you may have no trouble hearing a man with a low voice, but struggle with a woman’s or child’s voice, finding it difficult to comprehend.
You get overall amplification with cheap hearing aids. But just cranking up the overall volume will not be sufficient for individuals who have a difficult time hearing certain frequencies. 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 can be programmed to boost selected frequencies providing a much better solution. They offer 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. 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 don’t have cellphone support
When individuals are looking for a budget-friendly device, they often sacrifice functionality like Bluetooth connectivity. When considering phone connectivity, the lack of Bluetooth is a significant 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 rubbing against the phone, making it even more difficult to hear the person on the other end.
More advanced hearing aids are digital and utilize Bluetooth connectivity to connect directly to your phone. This advanced feature ensures that when your daughter talks on the other end, her voice is transmitted directly into your hearing aids, improving clarity and overall communication.
They were never meant to treat hearing loss
The majority of individuals would probably be surprised by this. PSAPs were never designed for people with hearing loss. They were made to amplify sound for individuals who have relatively good hearing.
If you have very mild hearing loss then cheap devices may help a little. But they won’t be of much help for individuals who actually need hearing aids.
Finding quality, affordable hearing aids
Obtaining affordable quality hearing aids is not hard. Insurance or other third parties might cover them. You can also find financing options, leasing programs, and more affordable brands. The first step is to get a hearing test if you suspect you might have hearing loss. Call us today for a consultation, we can help decide what’s best for you, depending on your degree and type of hearing loss, and make certain you get a pair that won’t break the bank!
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References
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/consumer-products/hearing-aids