It just feels good to find a bargain, right? It can be exhilarating when you’ve found a good deal on something, and the larger discount, the more satisfied you are. So letting your coupon make your buying decisions for you, always chasing after the least expensive products, is all too easy. But chasing a bargain when it comes to buying hearing aids can be a big mistake.
Health repercussions can result from going for the cheapest option if you require hearing aids to treat hearing loss. Preventing the development of health problems like depression, dementia, and the risk of a fall is the whole point of using hearing aids after all. Choosing the right hearing aid to fit your hearing needs, lifestyle, and budget is the trick.
Picking affordable hearing aids – some tips
Affordable is not equivalent cheap. Affordability, and functionality, are what you should be keeping your eye on. That will help you get the best hearing aid possible for your individual budget. These are helpful tips.
Tip #1: Research before you buy: Affordable hearing aids exist
Hearing aid’s reputation for being very pricey is not always reflected in the reality of the situation. Most hearing aid manufacturers will partner with financing companies to make the device more affordable and also have hearing aids in a number of prices. If you’ve already decided that the most effective hearing aids are too expensive, you’re probably more likely to search the bargain bin than seek out affordable and effective options, and that can have a lasting, detrimental affect on your hearing and overall health.
Tip #2: Ask what’s covered
Some or even all of the expense of hearing aids could be covered by your insurance. In fact, some states require that insurance cover them for both kids and adults. Asking never hurts. There are government programs that frequently supply hearing aids for veterans.
Tip #3: Your hearing loss is unique – choose hearing aids that can calibrate to your hearing needs
In some aspects, your hearing aids are similar to prescription glasses. Depending on your sense of style, the frame comes in a few options, but the exact prescription differs considerably from person to person. Hearing aids, too, have specific settings, which we can tune for you, personalized to your exact needs.
Buying a cheap hearing device from the clearance shelf is not going to give you the same benefits (or any helpful results at all in many instances). These amplification devices boost all frequencies instead of boosting only the frequencies you’re having trouble with. Why is this so important? Hearing loss is usually irregular, you can hear certain frequencies and voices, but not others. If you make it loud enough to hear the frequencies that are low, you’ll make it uncomfortable in the frequencies you can hear without amplification. Simply put, it doesn’t actually solve the problem and you’ll end up not using the cheaper device.
Tip #4: Different hearing aids have different capabilities
It can be tempting to believe that all of the modern technology in a good hearing aid is simply “bells and whistles”. But you will need some of that technology to hear sounds clearly. The sophisticated technology in hearing aids can be dialed in to the user’s level of hearing loss. Many modern models have artificial intelligence that helps filter out background noise or communicate with each other to help you hear better. In addition, considering where (and why) you’ll be using your aids will help you select a model that fits your lifestyle.
It’s crucial, in order to compensate for your hearing loss in a reliable way, that you have some of this technology. Hearing aids are much more sophisticated than a basic, tiny speaker that amplifies everything. Which brings up our last tip.
Tip #5: An amplification device is not the same thing as a hearing aid
Alright, say this with me: A hearing aid is not the same thing as an amplification device. This is the most important takeaway from this article. Because the makers of amplification devices have a financial interest in persuading the consumer that their devices do what hearing aids do. But that’s untruthful marketing.
Let’s take a closer look. An amplifier:
- Takes all sounds and turns up their volume.
- Gives the user the ability to adjust the basic volume but that’s about all.
- Is often cheaply made.
A hearing aid, however:
- Can be shaped specifically to your ears for maximum comfort.
- Has batteries that are long lasting.
- Can be programed to recognize distinct sound profiles, like the human voice, and amplify them.
- Can minimize background noise.
- Can be programmed with various settings for different places.
- Will help you maintain the health of your hearing.
- Is tuned to amplify only the frequencies you have a hard time hearing.
- Has highly qualified specialists that adjust your hearing aids to your hearing loss symptoms.
Your ability to hear is too essential to go cheap
Everyone has a budget, and that budget is going to restrict your hearing aid options no matter what price range you’re looking in.
This is why an affordable option tends to be the focus. When it comes to hearing loss, the long term benefits of hearing loss treatment and hearing aids is well documented. This is why an affordable solution is where your attention should be. Just remember that your hearing deserves better than “cheap.”
