In the search for solutions to hearing problems, it’s common to come across a wide range of options, from sophisticated devices to those promising a quick and cheap fix. However, it’s crucial to understand the difference between what’s genuinely effective and what might only offer a temporary solution. In this article, we’ll explore what a “cheap hearing aid” really is and why investing in quality hearing aids is usually the better choice.
What Is a Cheap Hearing Aid? The Difference Between Hearing Aids and Sound Amplifiers
What Is a Cheap Hearing Aid?
If you search online you’ll find numerous ads for cheap hearing aids. Most of these ads are designed to confuse the user, because in reality, what’s being sold are amplifiers or “hearing helpers,” since the term “hearing aid” is, in Spain, legally reserved exclusively for medical devices.
To take care of our hearing health, we need to learn to tell the difference between a hearing aid and an amplifier.
Definition of Hearing Aid and Amplifier
- Hearing aid: This is a medical device regulated in Spain by Royal Decree 1591/2009 of 16 October, which governs medical devices, transposing European Directive 93/42/EEC. Its main purpose is to help compensate for conditions related to hearing loss.
- Amplifier: This is a device that amplifies sound but is not a medical device. It amplifies all sounds, including loud noises, which can damage your hearing if not controlled.
The promise of low-cost amplifiers
On e-commerce platforms like Amazon, it’s easy to find hearing amplifiers sold for as little as 100 euros or even less. These devices, often advertised as affordable alternatives to traditional hearing aids, promise to improve your hearing without the need for a professional evaluation or personalised fitting. However, it’s important to understand that these amplifiers have significant limitations.
Limitations of Low-Cost Amplifiers
- They amplify all sounds without distinguishing between background noise and important voices, which can result in a distorted listening experience.
- They’re not adapted to each individual’s specific hearing needs, so they may fail to properly address certain types of hearing loss.
How to tell an amplifier apart from a cheap hearing aid
A Guide to Telling Hearing Aids and Amplifiers Apart
The Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products published a guide back in 2015 to help users tell a hearing aid apart from an amplifier. You can download this guide (in Spanish) at the following link: Guide to cheap hearing aids and amplifiers
In this guide, the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products sets out the key points for telling the two devices apart, and explicitly advises against using amplifiers to compensate for hearing loss.
We’ll summarise the most important points here, but we recommend downloading the guide for a fuller picture.
Comparison table: cheap hearing aids vs amplifiers
| Hearing aids | Amplifiers |
|---|---|
| A hearing aid is a medical device. | An amplifier is neither a medical device nor a prosthesis. |
| Hearing aids must always be sold through an authorised audiology centre; these establishments are also defined under Royal Decree 1277/2003 of 10 October, which sets out the general framework for authorising health centres, services and establishments. | Amplifiers can be sold online. |
| A hearing aid requires an individualised fitting based on the patient’s condition. Fitting a hearing aid must always be carried out by qualified healthcare staff, such as a hearing care professional, and requires hearing tests to assess the patient’s hearing health. | No fitting is carried out before use. |
| Its purpose is to compensate for hearing impairments. | Its purpose is not to compensate for hearing impairments — only to amplify sounds, including noise. |
| Designed to be worn all day long. | Designed for occasional use. Prolonged use could damage your hearing. |
The value of hearing aids and the importance of professional fitting
The Value of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids, although they may have a higher upfront cost, offer a more complete and personalised solution for hearing loss. These devices are designed to adapt to each user’s unique hearing needs, thanks to the involvement of highly trained hearing care professionals.
Benefits of a Professional Fitting
- A thorough hearing assessment.
- Recommendation of the most suitable type of hearing aid.
- Precise adjustments to ensure optimal performance.
- Advanced features such as noise cancellation and Bluetooth connectivity.
The importance of hearing centres in the fitting process
The Role of Hearing Centres
Hearing centres play a fundamental role in the hearing aid fitting process. These establishments not only offer a wide selection of high-quality hearing devices, but also provide assessment, fitting and ongoing follow-up services.
Services Offered by Hearing Centres
- Guidance in choosing the right hearing aid.
- Personalised fitting and adjustment.
- Long-term follow-up to ensure the devices keep working optimally.
Summary: what to consider before buying a cheap hearing aid
Tips for Buying Hearing Aids on a Budget
- Always go to an authorised hearing aid dispensing centre to buy a hearing aid. If you’re looking for hearing aids in Valencia, you can visit our centre:
Centro Auditivo Juan Llorens
Calle Juan Llorens 7 46008 Valencia
960 65 95 92
- Make sure that at your centre you’re attended by qualified healthcare staff holding a hearing care professional qualification.
- Hearing aids cannot legally be sold online, so if you want a genuine hearing aid, don’t buy it online.
- If you have normal hearing and want to buy an amplifier: don’t use it for long periods, and read the instructions carefully so you don’t damage your ears.
In short, while low-cost amplifiers may seem tempting in terms of price, choosing hearing aids will always be the better option, since they’re always adapted to the patient’s individual needs rather than treated as one-size-fits-all — after all, there are many types of hearing loss, and everyone’s needs are different.
It’s also worth considering the long-term value offered by hearing aids and the professional care provided at hearing centres. By investing in a quality hearing solution and the support of hearing experts, users can enjoy a better quality of life and a more satisfying listening experience.
Still have questions?
If you still have doubts about the hearing aid you’re considering buying, you can call us on 960 659 592 or email us via our contact page and we’ll help you in any way we can.
Video about the problems with so-called “cheap hearing aids”
Here’s a video from Spanish public broadcaster TVE’s programme España Directo (in Spanish), which covered this issue.
