Spot the Difference Between Affordable and Cheap Hearing Aids

The difference between affordable and cheap hearing aids is a big one. That is why it is important to spot the difference between affordable and cheap hearing aids. Sadly, the cheap ones can do more harm than good. While hearing aids should be affordable for everyone, cheap hearing aids are not just ineffective but could negatively impact your hearing health.  Good hearing aids are worth the cost. We will answer “Why are hearing aids so expensive?”, the characteristics of cheap hearing aids, how to get the best price on hearing aids, and more. If you are looking for a legitimate yet affordable solution for your hearing loss, the over-the-counter, affordable hearing aids at Soundwave Hearing are the answer. 

How to Spot the Difference Between Affordable and Cheap Hearing Aids

It is wonderful that now  you can buy OTC hearing aids online like Sontro® OTC Hearing Aids from Soundwave Hearing that are safe and effective. Affordable hearing aids are available to everyone, but this also means that some sellers are trying to pass off non-medical devices as “cheap hearing aids” online. You might have heard that PSAPs are the same as hearing aids and can be used as an alternative to more expensive hearing aids. You might surf Google and come across $20 non-hearing aid devices. There are indeed  many different types of hearing aids. However, most hearing aids you might find if you search for “cheap hearing aids” or something similar online include PSAPs (personal sound amplification products). 

You might also see names like smart hearing amplifiers, rechargeable sound aids, sound amplifier aids, hearing amplifier aids, hearing aids amplifiers, digital hearing amplifiers, and personal sound enhancement devices. Unfortunately, there are also unlawful sellers who falsely or incorrectly market their cheap devices as hearing aids. The  FDA has standards for what constitutes a hearing aid, including over-the-counter hearing aids.  

Why Are Hearing Aids So Expensive? 

Typical prescription hearing aids are expensive, and can cost in the thousands of dollars. Moreover, they typically require at least one trip to see a hearing care professional. These barriers stop many people who need hearing aids from obtaining them. In fact, among adults aged 70 and older with hearing loss who could benefit from hearing aids,  fewer than one in three has ever used them. Few adults aged 29 to 69 who could benefit from hearing aids have used them.

There is a reason  why traditional hearing aids are so expensive. Several factors can  impact hearing aid pricing. Purchasing hearing aids might require a trip to a hearing care professional, (perhaps even more than one trip), fitting fees, and follow-up services.  

How to Get the Best Price on Hearing Aids

If you want the best price on hearing aids, you come to Soundwave Hearing. Our over-the-counter hearing aids are artificially intelligent and fully customizable. While that sounds expensive, you can get a pair of our Sontro OTC Hearing Aids for just $999.00. 

Characteristics of Cheap Hearing Aids

If you want to know how to spot cheap hearing aids, you need to know the characteristics of cheap hearing aids. 

Don’t Fully Help With Hearing Loss

Cheap hearing aids often do not properly amplify the higher sound frequencies, usually affected by sensorineural hearing loss, the most common type of hearing loss. 

Not FDA-Registered

The first characteristic to look for in a hearing aid is to ensure it is FDA-registered. 

Poor Customer Support

If you encounter issues with your cheap hearing aids, you most likely will have trouble getting help getting them fixed or getting a refund. It is better to invest in a better product in the first place than waste money on initially inexpensive devices.

Not Medical Devices

Because PSAPs and other sound amplifiers are not designed to be medical devices, they are inadequate for treating hearing loss. 

Amplify All Sounds Equally

PSAPs and other cheap hearing aids don’t only amplify the sounds you want to hear, and can also amplify the sounds you don’t want to hear. They do not target specific frequencies. 

No Advanced Hearing Aid Technology

PSAPs and other faux hearing aids do not offer the many exciting and modern advanced features of hearing aids. For example, our Sontro OTC Hearing Aids are artificially intelligent and customizable hearing aids you can purchase without visiting a hearing care professional for a hearing test.

No Feedback Control

Cheap hearing aids are more likely than other hearing aids to send loud feedback noises to your ears. 

Cheap Hearing Aids  Could Be Dangerous 

While loud feedback is assuredly annoying, it can also damage your hearing even more. That is because  loud noise can damage cells and membranes in the cochlea and cause further hearing loss. 

How to Find Inexpensive Hearing Aids

There is a major difference between cheap hearing aids and inexpensive hearing aids. You might think that there is no such thing as a happy medium between cheap hearing aids you find online that don’t work and a pair of extremely expensive prescription hearing aids that will set you back thousands of dollars and take several trips to a hearing care professionals office for hearing tests and fittings. However, our Sontro OTC Hearing Aids are only $999.00/set, and our otoTune® app allows you to customize your hearing aids in just three minutes on your mobile phone. 

Get Affordable Hearing Aids From Soundwave Hearing Today

A new pair of hearing aids can be life-changing for those with hearing loss. At Soundwave Hearing, we believe that hearing aids should be affordable for everyone. Our Sontro OTC Hearing Aids are affordable and easy for anyone to order online. If you are unsure that the Sontro OTC Hearing aids are right for you, take a  free and easy online hearing test. Order your affordable hearing aids from Soundwave Hearing today!