If you’re struggling with hearing loss and looking for a solution, it can be confusing to understand your different options. The right type of hearing equipment will depend on your specific hearing needs.
Many people confuse hearing aids and amplifiers. While they both make sounds louder, they serve different purposes. Understanding whether you need a hearing aid or amplifier can keep you from choosing the wrong one.
How Do Hearing Aids Work?
Hearing aids are designed to treat hearing loss. They work not just by making sounds louder but by amplifying specific frequencies depending on your degree of hearing loss. These devices also offer additional features, such as noise reduction and Bluetooth capabilities, to help you with your hearing. Hearing aids are regulated medical devices that have to be provided by, as well as fitted and adjusted by, a hearing care professional following a hearing loss diagnosis.
How Do Sound Amplifiers Work?
These devices work by amplifying all sounds equally. They help people hear by increasing the volume of everything, including background noise, alarms, and sirens. Sound amplifiers are not regulated and don’t require a hearing test before purchasing since they are consumer products.
Key Differences Between Hearing Aids and Amplifiers
Customization
Hearing aids are tailored to your exact hearing loss using the results of a professional hearing test, while amplifiers provide one-size-fits-all amplification with no customization.
Technology
Hearing aids have more advanced technology to isolate and amplify the necessary frequencies. Sound amplifiers increase all sounds equally so there’s no need for specialized technology.
Purpose
Hearing aids are medical devices designed to treat diagnosed hearing loss. Amplifiers are intended for occasional, situational use, such as birdwatching or listening at a distance like in a lecture.
Safety
Hearing aids are FDA-regulated so they need to be fitted and overseen by medical professionals. Sound amplifiers are sold directly to consumers with no medical oversight or safety regulations.
Performance
Hearing aids offer sound clarity and background noise management, making conversations easier and less tiring. Amplifiers often struggle in noisy environments and can make speech harder to understand due to louder background noise.
Cost
Hearing aids offer more long-tern value since they typically come with warranties and ongoing care. Amplifiers are cheaper upfront but might cost you more in terms of your hearing health if the loud sounds damage your hearing.
Risks of Using the Wrong Hearing Equipment
Choosing an amplifier when you actually need a hearing aid can have serious consequences. Over-amplification may cause further damage to your hearing and the lack of noise filtering can lead to ear strain and mental fatigue. Additionally, amplifiers won’t address the underlying reasons behind your hearing loss, meaning there’s a risk of undiagnosed or untreated issues.
Relying on an amplifier instead of a hearing aid can delay necessary treatment, make communication harder and potentially worsen your hearing loss over time.
How to Decide Which Option Is Right for You
If you’re wondering which option fits your needs, here are a list of self-evalution questions to help you decide:
- Do you frequently struggle to follow conversations, especially in noisy environments?
- Do you find yourself turning up the TV or asking people to repeat themselves?
- Do you have a history of ear infections, loud noise exposure, or family hearing loss?
If the answer to any of these is yes, it’s time for a professional hearing evaluation. A hearing test is the only way to know whether you need hearing aids vs. a sound amplifier.
Need Hearing Aids? Beltone DFW Can Help
Choosing the right device for your hearing needs is an important step in managing your hearing health. If you’re wondering whether a hearing aid or amplifier is the right option for you, the first step is scheduling a hearing evaluation at any of our Dallas-Fort Worth hearing aid centers.
If hearing aids are the right option for you, the hearing specialists at Beltone DFW can assist you in selecting the right model and scheduling a demo and fitting to ensure it needs your hearing needs.
