The term “cheap” has dual meanings. For someone on a small budget, it means “affordability”. On the other hand, it conveys low-quality, turning an apparently economical purchase into a not-so-smart decision, epitomized by the adage “You get what you pay for”.

Regrettably, distinguishing between a thrifty purchase and an item of minimal value is often tricky. This is particularly relevant in the realm of hearing aids.

With hearing aids, the saying “you get what you pay for” rings particularly true. This doesn’t always imply going for the top-tier option, but instead, scrutinizing offerings that boast a price tag too enticing to be genuine. Consumers need to recognize that important information is often left out of the marketing campaigns of cheap hearing aids.

They typically just amplify sound

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

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

Contrastingly, a high-quality, contemporary hearing aid goes beyond simple volume adjustment. It minimizes background sound while skillfully managing sound and maximizing clarity. Genuine hearing aids are tailored to your particular hearing requirements, closely mimicking natural hearing with greater accuracy.

Hearing aids vs. PSAPs

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

Sadly, there are many devices out there that are advertised as hearing aids when they’re actually personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), named such because they can only amplify sound.

There are many legit and reputable providers that comply with correct marketing. But you may find some uninformed salespeople or products on Amazon or eBay that deceive consumers into thinking that these devices meet the definition of a hearing aid. Some even inaccurately advertise that they are FDA-approved.

For the majority of types of hearing loss they won’t be helpful at all

Most people who lose their hearing will slowly lose certain 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.

A cheap hearing device typically results in overall volume amplification. But simply turning up the overall volume will not be adequate for individuals who have a tough time hearing certain frequencies. 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 offer a solution by being programmable to compensate for the loss of particular frequencies. They can automatically adjust the frequency you struggle to hear to one that is more audible, providing a more tailored and reliable hearing experience.

You may 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. As the speaker in your ear jiggles around, the microphone picks up the sound. This will generate a deafening screech.

They usually don’t have cellphone support

When individuals are looking for a budget-friendly device, they frequently sacrifice functionality like Bluetooth capability. The absence of Bluetooth becomes crucial when considering phone connectivity. Trying to amplify a cheap hearing aid while on the phone leads to 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 challenging to hear the person on the other end.

In contrast, digital hearing aids utilize telecoil or Bluetooth technology, creating a wireless connection between your hearing aid and the phone. Overall communication and clarity will be improved so you can be sure you will hear your daughter’s voice on the phone.

They’re not designed for individuals with hearing loss

The majority of people would probably be surprised by this. These amplifiers were never intended to treat hearing loss. They were made to help individuals who have fairly good hearing hear things a bit louder.

Cheap devices might help a little if you only have slight hearing loss. But people who actually need hearing aids won’t find these cheaper devices that helpful.

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. 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 get the best and most affordable hearing aids for your degree and type of hearing loss.

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