Hearing loss is considered a very common disability: in the United States, one in ten people report suffering from hearing impairment to some degree. Equipment and therapies designed to treat hearing loss are therefore in high demand.
People with hearing loss have several options, depending on the severity of their condition. The most common treatment remains the hearing aid, which amplifies the ear's ability to pick up sound waves before transmitting the information to the brain for interpretation.
Hearing aids can genuinely improve the hearing of people with impaired hearing. But when prescribed, they usually come with a very hefty price tag.
The cost of these devices is mainly due to research and development, technology, equipment, and market forces.
Many people turn to an alternative: sound amplifiers. These devices are unique because they are designed in one size fits all. However, hearing aids and sound amplifiers do not offer the same health benefits.
Let's take a look at what hearing loss is and what distinguishes these two types of devices.
What you need to know about hearing loss
Hearing loss is a very common condition affecting millions of people. It is so widespread because it has many different causes, and no one is immune.
Unlike some pathologies primarily linked to genetic predisposition or a particular lifestyle, hearing loss can occur in anyone, at any time of life. It can result from trauma, chronic overstimulation, or exposure to loud noises. It can also be congenital, genetically inherited from birth, or result from complications such as infection or premature birth.
There are different types of hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss is a very common acquired form. It refers to any situation that physically prevents the inner ear from receiving sound waves from outside. It can stem from problems in the outer or inner ear and result from trauma or infection.
If a foreign object gets lodged in the outer ear, or even in the case of earwax buildup, this can cause what is commonly called mild hearing loss. Loud sounds then seem muffled, and you may no longer understand your interlocutors when they speak softly.
There is also sensorineural hearing loss, which can be congenital or appear over time. This category of hearing loss is less about an obstruction than a disruption in the neural activity of the auditory process. It can lead to moderate to severe impairments, which may qualify for state financial aid.
What is the big difference between sound amplifiers and hearing aids?
Whatever type of hearing loss you suffer from or the category you fall into, you will likely seek a solution to mitigate the problem or improve your hearing. Financial aid related to hearing loss, recognized as a disability, is only granted from a threshold of 60 decibels. However, there are exceptions, such as work accidents or military benefits (VA). Some recent supplementary health insurances also offer partial coverage.
When choosing between a hearing aid and a sound amplifier, one question arises: which is better? The answer is not obvious, but a better understanding of each will help you decide.
Sound amplification, for everyone
A sound amplification system is a very simple device. It is designed to capture all sound waves you would normally be exposed to and amplify them.
This can be very useful in certain situations, and these devices are not just for people with hearing loss. In reality, anyone who needs to hear better in a given context can use them.
The advantage of sound amplification is that it is easily accessible and inexpensive. With a little research, you will find quality products at very reasonable prices, whereas a hearing aid can cost several thousand dollars.
The downside is that these devices amplify all sound waves, which becomes counterproductive in environments with a lot of background noise. They do not help to focus on a specific frequency.
Targeted amplification for people with hearing impairments
Hearing aids are generally prescribed and cost significantly more. Medical consultations and appointments with an audiologist account for very little of the bill and are most often covered by insurance.
These devices are highly specific and programmed according to your exact diagnosis and needs. To understand this better, let's see how hearing loss works.
Hearing loss corresponds to a person's ability to perceive a frequency from a certain decibel threshold. For example, moderate hearing loss corresponds to a threshold of 26 to 40 dB. In other words, sounds within this range (e.g., rustling leaves or birdsong) are lost. Without a hearing aid that precisely targets these frequencies, it will be difficult to hear sounds between 26 and 40 dB.
As your natural hearing declines, your decibel threshold increases. With moderately severe hearing loss, you will need assistance to perceive loud noises.
Once your hearing tests are done, you can get a device programmed to amplify only the frequencies for which you have a deficiency. This targeted amplification offers a balanced experience, neither too loud nor confusing, since not all sound waves are amplified in the same way.
Difficulties with hearing aids
Hearing aids clearly offer more health benefits than simple sound amplifiers; however, this does not mean they are a good choice for everyone.
The reality, unfortunately, is that many private insurances do not cover the exorbitant cost of prescription hearing aids.
For many, the financial burden of buying hearing aids is as real as the hearing loss itself. These multi-thousand-dollar devices are remarkable, but they remain out of reach for most people, who simply cannot afford such an expensive path.
A better option
Creating a more affordable hearing aid is not impossible. CLARIA has developed a hearing aid made with quality materials, available from $89 to $249.
Because CLARIA hearing aids are affordable, you won't have to jeopardize your finances to get equipped. We use a one-size-fits-all technology designed to improve your hearing without breaking the bank.
Let's be clear: we cannot manufacture a prescription-programmed hearing aid. Our specialized technology is designed to bring the sounds you want to hear to the forefront while limiting background noise. For this, our hearing aids are set to capture frequencies used in conversation. This allows you to adjust the volume while filtering out ambient noise.
Conclusion
Ultimately, just because your hearing loss is less than moderately severe doesn't mean your only option should cost thousands of dollars. Millions of people live with varying degrees of hearing impairment, and our mission is to offer quality, affordable products that help you enjoy life and regain the hearing you may have lost.
To find out if our products are right for you, discover our EV1 and EV3 hearing aids and improve your hearing today.
Sources:
Degrees of Hearing Loss | Hearing Health Foundation
Hearing Aids and Personal Sound Amplifiers: Know the Difference | FDA.gov
Hearing loss | NHS
What Noises Cause Hearing Loss? | NCEH
