The Truth About Cheap “Hearing Aids”

There are a couple separate ways to interpret the word “cheap hearing aids”. For someone on a small budget, it means “affordability”. But we’ve all heard the saying “You get what you pay for”, and in this case, the term “cheap” suggests low-quality hearing aids.

Unfortunately, determining whether you’re getting a great deal from whether you’re getting a really low-quality device can be difficult. This is especially relevant in the realm of hearing aids.

With hearing aids, the axiom “you get what you pay for” rings particularly valid. This doesn’t always imply going for the top-tier option, but instead, scrutinizing products that boast a price tag too appealing to be legitimate. Companies marketing inexpensive hearing devices frequently leave out essential details about their products that customers should be aware of.

Cheaper hearing aids are basically only amplifiers

Cheap “hearing aids” usually provide limited functionality, mainly amplifying or decreasing overall volume. If you boost the volume to hear the TV better, you’ll also pick up background noises like the dishwasher, a fan in a different room, a barking dog, or the sound of your house shoes moving across the floor.

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

On the other hand, a high-quality, contemporary hearing aid goes beyond simple volume adjustment. It skillfully manages sound, enhancing the clarity of desired sounds while reducing background sound. Authentic hearing aids mimic natural hearing with great accuracy and are custom programmed to your specific hearing needs.

Hearing aids vs. PSAPs

The Food and Drug Administration has written guidelines for companies who sell hearing devices and have stringent rules as to what can be called hearing aids.

Unfortunately, many personal sound amplification products PSAPs are wrongly advertised as hearing aids even though they just amplify sound.

There are lots of legitimate and reputable companies that comply with appropriate marketing. But you might find some uninformed salespeople or products on Amazon or eBay that mislead consumers into thinking that these devices meet the definition of a hearing aid. Some even incorrectly advertise that they are approved by the FDA.

For most types of hearing loss they won’t be effective at all

The majority of individuals who lose their hearing will gradually lose specific frequencies of sound before others. You may have a difficult time understanding a little kid or a woman, for example, but you have no problem understanding a man with a low voice.

You get total amplification with cheap hearing aids. But just cranking up the overall volume will not be sufficient for individuals who have a tough time hearing specific frequencies. And turning up the overall volume could lead to additional damage to your hearing because the frequencies you don’t have trouble with will be booming in your ears.

High-quality hearing aids can be programmed to increase particular frequencies offering a much better solution. 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

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

They normally don’t have cellphone support

When people are looking for a budget-friendly device, they frequently sacrifice functionality like Bluetooth connectivity. When thinking about phone connectivity, the absence of Bluetooth is a significant hurdle. 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 challenging 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 state-of-the-art 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 aren’t designed for individuals with hearing loss

This might come as a shock because so many individuals think otherwise. PSAPs were never made for people with hearing loss. They were made to amplify sound for people 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 help for individuals who actually need hearing aids.

Where can you get 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. The first step is to get a hearing test if you suspect you may have hearing loss. Call us today for a consultation, we can help decide what’s best for you, depending on your amount and type of hearing loss, and make sure you get a pair that won’t break the bank!