Hearing aids are the gold standard in treating hearing loss. But because of how expensive they are, some people would resort to finding cheaper alternatives for better hearing.
Among these alternatives are hearing amplifiers.
Hearing amplifiers are incorrectly advertised to the market as a more cost efficient solution as opposed to hearing aids. While they do have a function, they are by no means a solution to treating hearing loss.
But if hearing amplifiers are not recommended by doctors, why do people still buy them?
It’s pretty simple — they’re cheaper.
When you’re a struggling minimum wage worker, hearing amplifiers would seem like a better option, especially with how much hearing aids cost. You can buy them online and you won’t need to go through a doctor to secure one.
But like all other “cheap” alternatives, there is always a hidden cost.
What you’re paying in exchange for cheap medication comes at the cost of your long term health. It’s why hearing aids have such high price points. It was created with the intelligence of science and the craftsmanship of today’s technology.
The extraneous process of creating a hearing aid is more than enough to justify its price point. It’s a given when you’re getting quality medication.
However, hearing amplifiers aren’t entirely harmful. They were created with a purpose and are specifically designed to enhance your hearing. Meaning, you have to have good hearing in the first place.
However, there are some consumers who try to use them as hearing aids.
Hearing amplifiers were seen as an alternative mainly because of the similarities it shares with hearing aids. But these two devices have their own respective purposes.
Here are some things that a hearing amplifier can’t do:
- Separate speech from noise
- Customize according to your level of hearing loss
- Have feedback cancellation
- Have wind noise reduction
All hearing aids have these features. It’s tried and tested by multitudes of hearing aids users who to this day swear by this hearing device.
Hearing aids also come with:
- Microphones
- Wireless connectivity
- Telecoils
A hearing amplifier, on the other hand, only serves to amplify sounds. No more, no less. This makes it a less than ideal hearing device for the hard-of-hearing.
With how much hearing aid costs in the Philippines, it’s perfectly understandable why an everyday Filipino would opt to look for other choices. Looking at the price of hearing aids online alone is enough to give them a financial aneurysm.
Like any unregulated medication, using an amplifier instead of a hearing aid can be dangerous if you have frequency-specific hearing loss. If a person fails to get proper help for hearing loss, their condition can worsen further. It can range from mild to serious hearing loss.
When in doubt, it’s always advisable to seek the advice of a professional.
Hearing Solutions is open for consultation from Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm. Get to talk to our highly qualified ENT doctors and find the best solution for your hearing loss.
You can visit our Facebook page for more information, or you can text us at 0932 788 1168 to book an appointment.
Sources:
https://www.hear.com/resources/hearing-aid-technology/hearing-aids-vs-hearing-amplifiers/
