When it comes time to choose a hearing aid, the prices you see may make it tempting to choose a model that’s on the cheaper end of the spectrum. But the patient also needs to understand what they’re giving up when they decide to go with a cheaper hearing aid, because with hearing aids you really do get what you pay for.
While expense in and of itself is not a sign of quality, it does tend to be correlated with better build quality and more features. Here are just a few of the differences you may spot between cheap hearing aids and their pricier counterparts:
1. Cheaper hearing aids have fewer adjustment options.
Want your hearing aid dialed in perfectly? If so, you may want to opt for one with more features. After all, you’re going to be wearing it all day, every day.
2. Cheaper hearing aids sound less natural.
A hearing aid is basically an amplifier, but a lot of the technology goes into deciding what sounds to amplify and what to leave alone. A hearing aid that amplifies everything equally would create way too much noise to be comfortable to wear. New types of hearing aids even have different settings that you can turn on based on new environments such as a loud sports event or a theater performance.
3. Cheaper hearing aids have fewer integrations.
Want to connect your hearing aid to your mobile phone? Cheaper hearing aids tend to cut costs on these kinds of features, so you will likely have to move up in price point to get the integration you want.
REMEMBER: The cost of a hearing aid is amortized across the life of the aid.
Right now, you might be tempted to save a few hundred dollars on the hearing aid, but when you think about the aid’s average lifespan, it becomes clear that what you’re talking about is something like $50 extra per year of wear. With essentials such as your hearing, many find that it’s worth to spend a little more to be fully satisfied with the functionality of your hearing aid. Ultimately, it does come down to a quality of life issue—while you don’t have to overspend on features you don’t need, it’s very much worth it to get a high-quality hearing aid that has adjustments for the kinds of situations you use it in and that can integrate seamlessly with your mobile device.
After the quality of your hearing aid, the next most important component is the quality of service you receive. At Chicago Hearing Services, we’re here to set you up with the perfect hearing aid for your lifestyle. Get in touch with us today to schedule your appointment!
