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

Who doesn’t enjoy finding a good bargain? But you need to be careful and watch out for small details in regards to your health.

The names “hearing aid” and “hearing amplifier” may seem similar but they are actually completely different devices. And making the wrong choice could have significant implications for your hearing and your overall health.

Hearing amplifiers

A little device that goes in your ear, a hearing amplifier increases the volume of external sound. These are generally very simple, one-dimensional devices which the government classifies as personal sound amplification devices. The volume of the world is essentially turned up.

These devices are usually not recommended for individuals with moderate to severe hearing loss because of their one-size-fits-all strategy.

Clear difference between hearing aids and personal amplifiers

Once people learn that hearing amplifiers are not suggested for individuals with even moderate hearing loss, the differences between the two devices begin to become rather plain. Obviously, hearing aids are appropriate for people with hearing loss.

Both types of devices can raise the volume of external sound. The biggest difference between the two devices is how cutting edge that amplification is.

  • Whatever environment you find yourself, your hearing aids can calibrate to it. There are quite a few variables that will affect the exact acoustics of a space. Some hearing aids can fine tune to these changes automatically. Others can be calibrated using a smartphone or a dedicated device. You will avoid fewer locations because you will be able to hear better in a wider variety of settings as your hearing aids make minute adjustments.
  • Selecting and amplifying speech is one of the main features of a hearing aid. To some extent, that’s as a consequence of the uneven way hearing loss develops, but it’s also because communication is such a fundamental function of your hearing. So this function has been prioritized by hearing aid makers who have put substantial resources into improving it. In order to make certain voices can be heard clearly even in a noisy room, sophisticated technology and algorithms are packed inside of modern hearing aids.
  • With hearing aids, only select wavelengths of sound are boosted. Because hearing loss frequently advances wavelength by wavelength. Wavelengths at the higher and lower end of the scale are commonly the first to go. Hearing aids work to fill in the holes in your hearing rather than just making everything louder. This selective approach is much more beneficial for people with hearing loss.

Bottom line, these features are crucial elements of effectively managing hearing loss. And these are features that are not present in most personal hearing amplifiers.

Finding the best solution at an affordable price

Along with a decreased ability to hear, neglected hearing loss can also result in cognitive decline. Because amplifiers don’t distinguish between frequencies, if you raise the volume enough to hear what you’re missing, you’ll likely have it up too loud for other wavelengths….and damage your hearing further. And that isn’t good for anyone.

Unless your hearing loss is from earwax, hearing aids and some surgeries are the only authorized treatments for hearing loss right now. Dismissing hearing loss and bypassing treatment doesn’t save you money in the long run. Overall healthcare costs have been found to increase by over 40% with untreated hearing loss. Luckily, there are affordable options. We can help.

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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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