Hearing aids and hearing amplifiers are both devices that can help people with hearing loss, but there are some important differences between the two.
Hearing aids are medical devices that are designed to improve hearing for people with hearing loss. They are highly advanced, programmable devices that use digital technology to amplify sound selectively and enhance speech clarity. Hearing aids are prescribed by audiologists or hearing healthcare professionals and can be customized to match the specific needs of each individual user. They also have features for noise reduction and feedback cancellation that can make them more effective in different environments.
On the other hand, hearing amplifiers are over-the-counter devices that are available without a prescription. They are typically less expensive than hearing aids, and they generally amplify sound across all frequencies rather than selectively amplifying certain frequencies. They are also less sophisticated than hearing aids and don’t have the same level of customization and advanced features. Hearing amplifiers can be useful for people with mild hearing loss or for people who need occasional amplification in certain situations, such as when watching TV. However, they may not be effective for people with more severe hearing loss or those needing more personalised amplification.
Overall, the main difference between hearing aids and hearing amplifiers is that hearing aids are medical devices that are specifically designed to improve hearing for people with hearing loss while hearing amplifiers are more general devices that can amplify sound but may not be effective for all types of hearing loss. If you think you have hearing loss, it’s important to consult with an audiologist to determine whether you need a hearing aid or another type of hearing device.
This response has been drafted with the assistance of AI. It has then been checked, edited and approved by our BHA audiology team.