Should I be be wary of buying hearing amplifiers online?

We often come across these gizmos in TV commercials– a smiling husband enjoying TV in bed while his wife sleeps in total peace.

Worth noting: these devices (that sell for as little as $14.95) are actually dangerous to your health.

Yes, you’ll do more damage to your ears using these cheap electronic ear amps. The reason is simple. These over-the-counter devices are not programmed for your hearing loss. In fact you control the volume on these toys. That means you can turn up the volume to levels loud enough to hear clearly – and to volumes that potentially could further damage an already-damaged natural hearing mechanism. It’s inevitable.

Skip these low-ball devices and visit a hearing professional to get a customized pair of hearing aids. The operable word is customized. The hearing professional customizes your hearing aids to suit your specific needs and type of hearing loss.

Need a boost in the high frequencies? Your hearing professional will set your hearing aids to boost the high end while leaving the rest of the sound frequency spectrum on “normal.”

Visit a registered hearing professional to find out what suitable options are available to you.


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The purpose of this hearing assessment and/or demonstration is for hearing wellness and to determine if the consumer may benefit from using hearing aids, which may include selling and fitting hearing aids. Products demonstrated may differ from products sold. Assessment conclusion is not a medical diagnosis and further testing may be required to diagnose hearing loss. The use of any hearing aid may not fully restore normal hearing and does not prevent future hearing loss. Hearing instruments may not meet the needs of all hearing-impaired individuals. One offer per consumer and offer cannot be combined with any of our promotional offers, coupons or discounts. Offer not available to any consumer who has private or federal health insurance coverage. Other terms may apply, see office for details.

Please note: Complimentary hearing assessment is not valid at the following locations: Anderson Audiology, 3120 S. Rainbow Boulevard, Suite 202, Las Vegas, NV 89146 | COLORADOHearing, a HearingLife Company, 3030 North Circle Drive, Suite 300, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 | COLORADOHearing, a HearingLife Company, 6031 E. Woodmen Road, Suite 300, Colorado Springs, CO 80923 | HearingLife, 5147 North 9th Avenue, Suite 315, Pensacola, FL 32504 | HearingLife, 141 Mack Bayou Loop, Suite 202, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 | Metro Hearing, 13934 N. 59th Avenue #120, Glendale, AZ 85306 | Metro Hearing, 13657 W. McDowell Road #200, Goodyear, AZ 85395 |