Picture of green piggy bank representing affordable hearing aids and a good deal.

Who doesn’t enjoy getting a good bargain? But you need to be careful and be aware of small details in regards to your health.

The names “hearing aid” and “hearing amplifier” might seem similar but they are actually entirely different devices. And making the wrong choice could have important implications for your hearing and your general health.

What is a hearing amplifier?

A small device that goes in your ear, a hearing amplifier raises the volume of external sound. Technically categorized as personal sound amplification products by the government, these gadgets tend to be very basic and one-dimensional. A hearing amplifier is like turning the volume up on the world.

Because of their one-size-fits-all approach, hearing amplifiers are not recommended for people who have moderate to significant hearing loss.

Distinct difference between hearing aids and personal amplifiers

Once people learn that hearing amplifiers aren’t suggested for individuals with even modest hearing loss, the differences between the two devices start to become rather stark. Hearing aids, obviously, are recommended for those with hearing loss.

Both types of devices are capable of raising the volume of outside sound. But one of these devices has a much higher degree of amplification technology and sophistication.

  • Hearing aids are made to select and boost certain frequencies of sound. That’s because people normally lose their hearing one frequency at a time. Wavelengths at the higher and lower end of the scale are usually the first to go. Hearing aids work to fill in the holes in your hearing rather than just making everything louder. For people who have hearing loss, this selective approach is more effective.
  • Hearing aids can be tuned to your environment. The acoustics of any given space will change depending on a long list of factors. Some hearing aids can fine tune to these changes automatically. Other models can be adjusted with a smartphone or a dedicated device. You will avoid fewer places because you will be capable of hearing better in a wider variety of settings as your hearing aids make little adjustments.
  • Picking out and amplifying speech is one of the primary functions of a hearing aid. To some extent, that’s the result of the irregular way hearing loss progresses, but it’s also because communication is such a fundamental function of your hearing. Because of this, hearing aid makers have invested significant resources into improving the clarity of speech above all else. There are sophisticated algorithms and processes working within hearing aids to ensure that, even in a crowded and noisy place, voices come through loud and clear.

To put it bluntly, properly managing hearing loss depends on these capabilities. And these are features that are not present in the majority of personal hearing amplifiers.

Finding the best option at an affordable price

Along with a diminished ability to hear, neglected hearing loss can also lead to mental decline. Because amplifiers don’t differentiate between frequencies, if you raise the volume enough to hear what you’re missing, you’ll likely have it up too loud for other frequencies….and damage your hearing further. And who wants to do that?

Unless your hearing loss is from earwax, hearing aids and certain surgeries are the only authorized treatments for hearing loss at this time. Dismissing hearing loss and bypassing treatment doesn’t save you money long term. General healthcare costs have been shown to increase by over 40% with untreated hearing loss. Fortunately, there are affordable solutions. Just ask us.

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References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373077

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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