Saving money just feels great, right? Getting a good deal can be thrilling, and more gratifying the bigger the deal. So letting your coupon make your shopping decisions for you, always chasing after the least expensive items, is all too easy. When it comes to purchasing a pair of hearing aids, going after a bargain can be a big oversight.
If you require hearing aids to treat hearing loss, choosing the “cheapest” option can have health consequences. After all, the whole point of using hearing aids is to be able to hear well and to prevent health issues associated with hearing loss like cognitive decline, depression, and an increased risk of falls. Choosing the correct hearing aid to fit your hearing needs, lifestyle, and budget is the trick.
Finding affordable hearing aids – some tips
Cheap and affordable aren’t necessarily the same thing. Affordability, and functionality, are what you should be looking for. This will help you keep within your budget while enabling you to find the ideal hearing aids for your personal requirements and budget. These tips will help.
You can find affordable hearing aids.
Hearing aid’s reputation for being very pricey is not always reflected in the reality of the situation. Most hearing aid makers will partner up with financing companies to make the device more budget friendly and also have hearing aids in a number of prices. If you’ve already made the decision that the most effective hearing aids are out of reach, you’re probably more likely to search the bargain bin than look for affordable and effective options, and that can have a lasting, negative affect on your hearing and overall health.
Tip #2: Find out what your insurance will cover
Insurance might cover some or all of the expenses related to getting a hearing aid. Actually, 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 – find hearing aids that can calibrate to your hearing situation
In some aspects, your hearing aids are similar to prescription glasses. Depending on your sense of fashion, the frame comes in a few choices, but the exact prescription differs greatly from person to person. Hearing aids, too, have specific settings, which we can calibrate for you, personalized to your exact needs.
You’re not going to get the same benefits by grabbing some cheap hearing device from the clearance shelf (or, in many instances, results that are even remotely useful). These amplification devices increase all frequencies instead of raising only the frequencies you’re having a hard time hearing. Why is this so significant? Usually, hearing loss will only impact some frequencies while you can hear others perfectly fine. If you increase all frequencies, the ones you have no problem hearing will be too loud. In other words, it doesn’t actually solve the problem and you’ll end up not using the cheaper device.
Tip #4: Not all hearing aids have the same features
It can be tempting to think that all of the modern technology in a quality hearing aid is just “bells and whistles”. The problem is that in order to hear sounds clearly (sounds such as, you know, bells and whistles), you most likely need some of that technology. Hearing aids have innovative technologies calibrated specifically for those with hearing loss. Many modern models have artificial intelligence that helps block out background noise or connect with each other to help you hear better. Additionally, considering where (and why) you’ll be using your aids will help you decide on a model that fits your lifestyle.
That technology is necessary to compensate for your hearing loss in a healthy way. A tiny speaker that cranks the volume up on everything is far from the sophistication of a modern hearing aid. Which brings us to our last tip.
Tip #5: A hearing amplification device isn’t a hearing aid
Alright, say this with me: A hearing aid is not the same thing as an amplification device. This is the number one takeaway from this article. Because the makers of amplification devices have a financial interest in convincing the consumer that their devices do what hearing aids do. But that simply isn’t true.
Let’s have a closer look. An amplifier:
- Gives the user the ability to adjust the basic volume but that’s about all.
- Is usually made cheaply.
- Takes all sounds and makes them louder.
Conversely, a hearing aid:
- Can be programmed with different settings for different locations.
- Has batteries that are long lasting.
- Will help safeguard your hearing health.
- Can limit background noise.
- Is tuned to amplify only the frequencies you have a hard time hearing.
- Can pick out and boost specific sound types (like the human voice).
- Has highly skilled specialists that adjust your hearing aids to your hearing loss symptoms.
- Can create maximum comfort by being molded to your ear.
Your hearing deserves better than cheap
Everybody has a budget, and that budget is going to limit your hearing aid choices no matter what price range you’re looking in.
This is why an affordable option tends to be the focus. The long-term advantages of hearing aids and hearing loss management are well recognized. This is why an affordable solution is where your attention should be. Don’t forget, cheap is less than your hearing deserves.”
