The word “cheap” carries dual meanings. On the one hand, it signifies affordability, a wise option for a budget-conscious individual. Conversely, it conveys low-quality, turning a seemingly economical purchase into a not-so-smart choice, epitomized by the adage “You get what you pay for”.
Unfortunately, determining whether you’re getting a great value from whether you’re purchasing a really low-quality device can be tricky. When it comes to hearing aids, this couldn’t be more valid.
The adage “you get what you pay for” is especially potent 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 expensive choice. Companies marketing cheap hearing devices frequently leave out important details about their products that customers should know about.
Cheaper hearing aids are pretty much only amplifiers
Amplifying the overall volume is typically the only thing cheap “hearing aids” can handle. When you just 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 completely defeats the purpose of using a hearing aid.
Contrastingly, a high-quality, contemporary hearing aid goes beyond simple volume adjustment. It decreases background sound while expertly managing sound and enhancing clarity. Genuine hearing aids are tailored to your particular hearing needs, closely simulating natural hearing with better accuracy.
Hearing aids vs. PSAPs
The Food and Drug Administration has drafted guidelines for those who sell hearing devices and have stringent rules as to what can be called hearing aids.
Sadly, there are many devices out there that are advertised as hearing aids when they are actually personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), named such because they can only amplify sound.
The majority of reputable providers follow the rules. But there are some vendors, especially 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. Some even falsely advertise that they are approved by the FDA.
They aren’t inclusive for most kinds of hearing loss
The slow loss of hearing often involves trouble hearing certain frequencies rather than a sudden total loss. For instance, you might have no problems hearing a man with a low voice, but have difficulty with a woman’s or child’s voice, finding it challenging to comprehend.
You get total amplification with cheap hearing aids. However, if you have trouble with particular frequencies, just increasing the volume proves inadequate. And turning the overall volume up could result in additional damage to your hearing because the frequencies you don’t struggle with will be roaring in your ears.
High-quality hearing aids provide a solution by being programmable to compensate for the loss of particular frequencies. They can instantly adjust the frequency you struggle to hear to one that is more audible, delivering a more tailored and reliable hearing experience.
You might get a lot of feedback
You won’t get a custom fit with cheap hearing aids. A feedback loop is often the consequence of poorly fitting hearing aids. The microphone picks up the sound from the speaker in your ear as it jiggles around. This will result in a deafening screech.
They typically won’t help you on your cellphone
Functionality is frequently sacrificed when opting for budget devices, and this is true for lots of inexpensive hearing aids lacking Bluetooth capability. When considering phone connectivity, the absence of Bluetooth is a significant hurdle. Attempting to amplify a cheap hearing aid while on the phone results in capturing not just 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 use 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, enhancing clarity and overall communication.
They were never intended to treat hearing loss
This may come as a shock because so many individuals think otherwise. PSAPs were never designed for people with hearing loss. They were made to amplify sound for people who have fairly good hearing.
Cheap devices may help a little if you only have slight hearing loss. But individuals who actually need hearing aids won’t find these cheaper devices very useful.
Where can you get quality affordable hearing aids?
There are lots of ways to get hearing aids affordably. Insurance or other third parties may cover them. There are also affordable brands, leasing programs, and financing possibilities. 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 level and type of hearing loss, and make sure you land a pair that won’t break the bank!
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References
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/consumer-products/hearing-aids