We all enjoy a good bargain. But when it comes to your health, be careful what you buy and pay attention to the small details.

The names “hearing aid” and “hearing amplifier” may seem similar but they are actually entirely different devices. And your overall hearing and health could suffer major consequences if you make the wrong decision about this.

Hearing amplifiers

A hearing amplifier is a small device that, when placed in your ear, raises the volume of the sounds around you. These are usually really simple, one-dimensional devices which the government categorizes as personal sound amplification devices. The volume of the world is basically cranked up.

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

Hearing amplifier are not hearing aids

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

Both hearing aids and hearing amplifiers have the ability to increase volumes. But one of these devices has a much higher level of amplification technology and sophistication.

• With hearing aids, only particular frequencies of sound are amplified. Because hearing loss usually progresses wavelength by wavelength. Wavelengths at the higher and lower end of the spectrum are commonly the first to go. Rather than making everything louder, hearing aids work to plug holes in what you’re hearing. For individuals who have hearing loss, this selective approach is more effective.
• Whatever environment you find yourself, your hearing aids can tune in to it. There are a number of variables that will affect the specific acoustics of a space. These adjustments can even happen automatically with some modern hearing aids. Other models 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 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 an important function of your hearing. Because of this, hearing aid manufacturers have invested monumental resources into enhancing the clarity of speech above all else. There are state-of-the-art 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 treating hearing loss depends on these capabilities. And these are attributes that are not present in the majority of personal hearing amplifiers.

Finding the best solution at an affordable price

Neglected hearing loss can contribute to cognitive decline, along with increasingly diminished ability to hear. With amplifiers, you’re likely to do more harm to your hearing as the device doesn’t differentiate frequencies and will most likely turn everything up to unsafe levels. And that isn’t good for anybody.

Unless your hearing loss is from earwax, hearing aids and certain surgeries are the only authorized treatment options for hearing loss at this time. You won’t save any money in the long run by neglecting to get treatment for your hearing loss. Untreated hearing loss has been shown to increase your overall healthcare costs more than 40 percent. Fortunately, there are affordable options. Just ask us.

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References

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