We all love a good bargain. But when it comes to your health, be careful what you purchase and keep your eye on the little 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 choice about this.
Hearing amplifiers
A hearing amplifier is a small device that, when placed in your ear, increases the volume of the sounds around you. These are usually quite simple, one-dimensional devices which the government categorizes as personal sound amplification devices. A hearing amplifier is like cranking the volume up on the world.
These devices are usually not recommended for people with moderate to severe hearing loss because of their one-size-fits-all approach.
Clear difference between hearing aids and personal amplifiers
It begins to become pretty apparent that hearing aids are not the same as hearing amplification devices when you consider that amplifiers are not recommended for people with even moderate hearing loss. Hearing aids, obviously, are recommended for people with hearing loss.
Both hearing aids and hearing amplifiers have the ability to increase volumes. The main difference between the two devices is how cutting edge that amplification is.
- Hearing aids are specifically manufactured to help you comprehend speech. Because communication is so essential in our lives and also because of the uneven way hearing loss develops, this is an essential function. So this function has been prioritized by hearing aid manufacturers who have put substantial resources into improving it. There are sophisticated algorithms and processes working within hearing aids to ensure that, even in a crowded and noisy place, voices come through clearly.
- Hearing aids are made to select and boost specific wavelengths of sound. Because hearing loss normally advances wavelength by wavelength. Either high-frequency sounds or low-frequency sounds commonly fade first. Instead of 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 calibrate to it. There are quite a few factors that will determine the specific acoustics of a space. These adjustments can even be made automatically with some modern hearing aids. Other models can be calibrated using a smartphone or a dedicated device. By making minute adjustments to the settings of your hearing aid, you’re capable of hearing better in a wider variety of environments, meaning there will be fewer places you wish to avoid.
Simply put, these features are crucial components of properly treating hearing loss. And these are qualities that are not present in the majority of personal hearing amplifiers.
Finding the best solution at an affordable price
Along with a diminished ability to hear, neglected hearing loss can also lead to mental 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.
Right now, the only recommended treatments for hearing loss, if it’s not caused by earwax, are certain surgeries and hearing aids. You won’t save any money long term 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. The good news is, there are budget friendly solutions. We can help.
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References
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373077