The Truth About Cheap “Hearing Aids”

There are a couple separate ways to think about the word “cheap hearing aids”. On the one hand, it signifies affordability, a smart option for a budget-conscious individual. But we’ve all heard the phrase “You get what you pay for”, and in this example, the term “cheap” suggests low-quality hearing aids.

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

The saying “you get what you pay for” is especially relevant with hearing aids. This means eliminating the devices that are priced in the “too good to be true” zone, not automatically going for the most costly choice. Customers need to be aware that essential information is frequently excluded from the marketing campaigns of cheap hearing aids.

They often just amplify sound

Cheap “hearing aids” typically provide minimal functionality, mainly amplifying or reducing overall volume. If you amplify the volume to hear the TV better, you’ll also get background noises like the dishwasher, a fan in another room, a barking dog, or the sound of your house slippers moving across the floor.

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

A modern state-of-the-art hearing aid, in comparison, does much more than simply crank up the volume. It decreases background sound while expertly managing sound and improving clarity. Real hearing aids simulate natural hearing with great accuracy and are custom programmed to your particular hearing needs.

Hearing aids vs. PSAPs

There are strict 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’re actually personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), named this because they can only amplify sound.

There are many 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 believing that these devices meet the definition of a hearing aid. Some even incorrectly advertise that they are approved by the FDA.

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

The majority of individuals who lose their hearing will slowly lose certain frequencies of sound before others. For example, 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.

A cheap hearing device typically results in overall volume amplification. However, if you struggle with specific frequencies, just increasing the volume will be insufficient. And turning up the overall volume 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 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 reliable hearing experience.

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. As the speaker in your ear jiggles around, the microphone picks up the sound. What does this sound like? An ear-shattering screech.

They normally don’t have cellphone support

When individuals are looking for a budget-friendly device, they frequently sacrifice functionality like Bluetooth connectivity. The lack of Bluetooth becomes critical when thinking about 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 rubbing against the phone, or clothing and hair.

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 sent directly into your hearing aids, improving clarity and overall communication.

They’re not made for people with hearing loss

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

Finding quality, affordable hearing aids

There are many ways to get hearing aids affordably. Insurance or other third parties may cover them. There are also affordable brands, leasing plans, and financing possibilities. If you think 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.