Hearing amplifiers are good for seniors who have very mild hearing loss. However, they’re not the same as FDA-approved hearing aids and aren’t designed to be worn for prolonged periods. It’s estimated that 26.8% of seniors experience some difficulty with their hearing, and it’s important for those who notice their hearing is deteriorating to seek professional advice. If hearing amplifiers are improperly used, they could cause further hearing loss.

Hearing Amplifiers Simply Make Sounds Louder

As their name suggests, hearing amplifiers work by making sounds louder. These devices are typically intended for short-term, recreational use. For example, someone might wear an amplifier if they’re sitting at the back of a theater or if they’re bird-watching and need to hear the calls clearly. Because hearing amplifiers are sold over the counter, it’s up to the user to configure them. If someone uses an amplifier at too high a volume, they could accidentally damage their hearing. Some of the best hearing amplifiers have intelligent noise reduction features designed to improve the experience for the end-user and reduce the risk of accidental hearing damage.

Hearing Aids Are Tailored To a Person’s Hearing Abilities

Unlike hearing amplifiers, which make all sounds louder, including background noise, hearing aids can be tailored to a person’s individual hearing abilities. An audiologist performs a hearing test and produces an audiogram that highlights the sounds the patient struggles to hear. Once this test has been completed, the audiologist will order a hearing aid that amplifies only those frequencies. In most cases, custom-made hearing aids produce much better results than more general amplifiers.

Hearing Aids May Be Covered by Medicare Advantage

Original Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of hearing aids or the appointments to have them fitted. Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans often offer additional benefits, and hearing devices may be included in some Part C plans. Seniors enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can contact their insurance provider for information about what the plan covers.