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Are Hearing Amplifiers Any Good?
Date Updated: July 28, 2025
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
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.
Learn More About Hearing Amplifiers
- What Products Serve As a Hearing Enhancer?
- What Are Alternatives to Hearing Aids?
- How Much Do Hearing Amplifiers Cost?
- Can Hearing Amplifiers Damage Your Hearing?
- What Does a Hearing Amplifier Do?
- What Is the Difference Between a Hearing Amplifier and a Hearing Aid?
- How Can I Listen to My TV if I’m Hearing Impaired?