{"id":589,"date":"2020-08-30T00:49:11","date_gmt":"2020-08-29T15:49:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oliveunion.com\/us\/cheap-hearing-aids-may-actually-cause-harm-to-your-health\/"},"modified":"2022-05-19T17:41:43","modified_gmt":"2022-05-19T08:41:43","slug":"cheap-hearing-aids-risks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oliveunion.com\/us\/blog\/hearing-aids\/purchase\/cheap-hearing-aids-risks\/","title":{"rendered":"Protect Your Ears From Cheap Hearing Aids"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#How_Cheap_is_Cheap_How_Cheap_is_Too_Cheap\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">1<\/span> How Cheap is Cheap? How Cheap is Too Cheap?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Is_It_Possible_to_Buy_Hearing_Aids_Online\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">2<\/span> Is It Possible to Buy Hearing Aids Online?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Over-the-Counter_OTC_Hearing_Aids_What_Are_They\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">3<\/span> Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids \u2013 What Are They?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Risks_Involving_Cheap_Hearing_Aids_and_Devices\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">4<\/span> Risks Involving Cheap Hearing Aids and Devices<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Further_Damage_to_Your_Hearing\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">4.1<\/span> Further Damage to Your Hearing<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#They_Do_Not_Cater_To_Your_State_of_Health\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">4.2<\/span> They Do Not Cater To Your State of Health<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#They_Are_Not_Medical_Devices_Nor_Are_They_FDA_Registered\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">4.3<\/span> They Are Not Medical Devices Nor Are They FDA Registered<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"How_Cheap_is_Cheap_How_Cheap_is_Too_Cheap\">How Cheap is Cheap? How Cheap is Too Cheap?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Your average hearing aid is expensive &#8211; for many, surprisingly so. According to the American Association of Retired Persons, hearing aids cost an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/conditions-treatments\/info-2016\/hearing-aid-costs-prices-cs.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">average of $2,300<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthyhearing.com\/help\/hearing-aids\/prices\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">upwards of $5,000 to $6,000<\/a>. It&#8217;s no wonder people look for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oliveunion.com\/us\/what-are-the-best-alternatives-to-hearing-aids\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cheaper alternatives<\/a> or just give up on hearing aids altogether! There is a reason for this high price, however. Hearing aids are FDA-regulated medical devices tailor-made for each specific patient; therefore, part of the costs includes all the procedures and consultations necessary for your specific experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, a cursory glance at Google or Amazon shows cheap hearing aids and devices starting from as low as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Amplifier-Enhancer-Reduction-Enhanced-Cancellation\/dp\/B07SXCT5RH\/ref=sr_1_23?_encoding=UTF8&amp;c=ts&amp;dchild=1&amp;keywords=Hearing+Amplifiers&amp;qid=1610612180&amp;refresh=1&amp;s=hpc&amp;sr=1-23&amp;ts_id=3775901\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">$25<\/a>! That&#8217;s quite the difference in price. Why are they so cheap?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, these devices often lack the customization and programmability of traditional hearing aids. Rather than being able to fine-tune settings and frequencies to your own specific ear, they have a one-size-fits-all type approach and tend to just amplify all sounds equally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, these types of devices are purchasable online without any type of prescription &#8211; they do not fall under the FDA&#8217;s established regulations. These are in fact not hearing aids, but PSAP (personal sound amplifiers) or hearing amplifiers. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oliveunion.com\/us\/psap-vs-hearing-aid-whats-best-device-for-me\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">This is a very important distinction<\/a> that anyone interested in cheap hearing aids should be aware of; especially when looking online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure you read the text and labels closely &#8211; does it say &#8220;hearing\/sound amplifier&#8221; anywhere in the product name or description? If so, then it is most likely not a hearing aid and you should consult with an audiologist first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2><span id=\"Is_It_Possible_to_Buy_Hearing_Aids_Online\">Is It Possible to Buy Hearing Aids Online?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The short answer is<strong> <\/strong>&#8220;<strong>No &#8211; as of now<\/strong>.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hearing aids are medical devices that the FDA regulates and administers, which means that patients <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/medical-devices\/hearing-aids\/how-get-hearing-aids\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">will need medical examinations by licensed doctors to purchase one<\/a>. As the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/medical-devices\/consumer-products\/hearing-aids\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FDA<\/a> puts it, \u201chearing aids continue to be restricted devices, for which sales must follow applicable federal and state requirements\u201d. Although some sellers offer online hearing tests that are able to diagnose you with a certain degree of hearing loss, they cannot determine physical attributes, such as having too much ear wax, as a possible cause of loss of hearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore,&nbsp;to purchase a hearing aid, it is required&nbsp;to see a doctor who specializes in hearing issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just like every person is unique, every hearing issue is unique. Hearing aids need to be&nbsp;prescribed to fit each patient\u2019s precise ear canal shape, hearing condition, and also their&nbsp;lifestyle; especially considering that once purchased, they will be a part of your&nbsp;everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, if you are looking into the hearing aid market and are looking to purchase a device online, remember that <strong>you can only buy legitimate hearing aids with a<\/strong> <strong>prescription<\/strong>&nbsp;and that you should get professional help from an audiologist before purchasing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2><span id=\"Over-the-Counter_OTC_Hearing_Aids_What_Are_They\">Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids \u2013 What Are They?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember that <strong>as of now<\/strong>, you can\u2019t buy hearing aids online. This may change in the near future as OTC hearing aids become readily available. <strong>So, what are they?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>OTC hearing aids are a new category of hearing aids that will soon allow consumers to be able to buy hearing aids directly from stores without visiting a hearing health professional. These devices will be intended to help adults who believe they have mild to moderate hearing loss. OTC hearing aids will still be regulated by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/medical-devices\/consumer-products\/hearing-aids\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FDA<\/a>, but with a different standard than a traditional hearing aid that needs prescriptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oliveunion.com\/us\/what-are-over-the-counter-hearing-aids-benefits-risks-associated\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Also read our article on OTC hearing aids.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When OTC hearing aids become available, you will be able to buy them directly in retail stores and online, so be sure to check us out periodically or the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/medical-devices\/consumer-products\/hearing-aids\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FDA website for hearing aids<\/a> for the most up-to-date information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2><span id=\"Risks_Involving_Cheap_Hearing_Aids_and_Devices\">Risks Involving Cheap Hearing Aids and Devices<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3><span id=\"Further_Damage_to_Your_Hearing\">Further Damage to Your Hearing<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most sound amplifiers, aptly named for what they do, amplify not just the sounds you want to hear, but the ones you do not want to hear as well. While many other medical-grade hearing aids (and our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oliveunion.com\/products\/smart-ear\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Olive Pro<\/a>) target certain frequencies, most cheap hearing devices do not. This in turn, may be potentially dangerous and deteriorate your hearing abilities even further by sending high-pitched noises straight into your ear canal. Considering the long-term use of your hearing device, over many months or years, this can be extremely taxing on the brain and can lead to various other health problems <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hopkinsmedicine.org\/health\/wellness-and-prevention\/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">like dementia<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span id=\"They_Do_Not_Cater_To_Your_State_of_Health\">They Do Not Cater To Your State of Health<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most cheap hearing devices are one-size-fits-all kinds of products. While the devices may help with your hearing for a given time period, if your hearing issues worsen or change, they most likely will not cater to your changed state of health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span id=\"They_Are_Not_Medical_Devices_Nor_Are_They_FDA_Registered\">They Are Not Medical Devices Nor Are They FDA Registered<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Hearing devices and other sound amplifiers not designed to be medical devices and therefore are not subject to the FDA&#8217;s international standards for medical-grade hearing aids. Because of this, their build quality and product quality are wholly untested and often severely lacking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The information in this guide has been written using the following reliable sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.asha.org\/public\/hearing\/Buying-Hearing-Aids-On-Your-Own\/\">asha.org\/<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.starkey.com\/hearing-aids\/costs-and-financing\/purchasing-hearing-aids-online\">starkey.com\/<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.starkey.com\/blog\/articles\/2015\/05\/PSAPs-Are-Cheaper-So-Why-Should-I-Buy-Hearing-Aids#:~:text=PSAPs%20are%20less%20costly%20because,customized%20to%20an%20individual's%20needs.&amp;text=Some%20of%20these%20conditions%20may,hearing%20damage%20down%20the%20line.\">starkey.com\/<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/hearing-loss\/in-depth\/hearing-aids\/art-20044116\">mayoclinic.org\/<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/medical-devices\/hearing-aids\/how-get-hearing-aids\">fda.gov\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hearing aids are expensive &#8211; it&#8217;s no wonder people turn to cheaper alternatives. Cheaper doesn&#8217;t mean better, however!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":844,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12,15],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v15.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Hearing aids are expensive - it&#039;s no wonder people turn to cheaper alternatives. 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