The World Health Organization estimates that more than 1.5 billion people live with some degree of hearing difficulty, so if you have started missing words in conversation or turning the television up louder than everyone else, you are far from alone. When people look for help, they usually come across two very different products: sound amplifiers and hearing aids. They look similar and both make sound louder, but they are not the same thing. Here is the honest difference.
What a sound amplifier is
A personal sound amplifier (sometimes called a PSAP) is a consumer electronics product. It picks up the sounds around you with a tiny microphone, makes them louder, and plays them back into your ear. It is made for everyday listening, such as following the television, catching conversation at dinner, or hearing birdsong on a walk. You can buy one directly, with no appointment and no prescription.
What a hearing aid is
A hearing aid is a regulated medical device. It is set up and fine-tuned by a qualified professional to match a specific pattern of hearing loss, and it is intended to help manage a diagnosed hearing condition. Because of the testing, fitting and regulation involved, hearing aids usually cost far more, often well over £1,000 for a pair.
So which one is right for you?
If you have a diagnosed hearing condition, or you are worried something is wrong with your hearing, the right first step is always to see a qualified professional or your GP. If you simply want a little extra clarity in everyday situations, and a straightforward, affordable option you can try at home, a sound amplifier can be a sensible choice.
The cost difference
This is where the two really separate. Clinic-fitted devices often run into four figures and involve several appointments. A quality sound amplifier like HearWithUs is £159 for a complete rechargeable pair with a charging case, delivered to your door with a 30-day money-back promise, so you can see how it works for you with no risk.
HearWithUs sound amplifiers are personal sound amplification products for everyday listening. They are not medical devices and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or correct any hearing condition. If you have concerns about your hearing, please consult a qualified professional.
Source: World Health Organization, Deafness and hearing loss.
Hear every word again for £159
HearWithUs rechargeable sound amplifiers: a complete pair plus charging case, delivered free across the UK and backed by a 30-day money-back promise.
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