Hearing Aids are a useful, often necessary technology; but they are also often expensive. We have compiled a list of the best devices for people on a budget.
*As always, we recommend you have your hearing aids fitted to you by a professional for the best quality hearing.
5. Mini Sound Amplifier
Benefit #1: Affordability.
The Mini Sound Amplifier retails for under $30 on Amazon.
Benefit #2: Size.
The Mini Sound Amplifier is relatively small and fits in the ear without attracting too much attention.
Drawback #1: It’s too loud.
My independent tests of the Mini Sound Amplifier revealed that it was too loud in the low and mid-frequency range, and may even spike into potentially dangerous levels of sound output.
Drawback #2: Feedback.
Feedback refers to that very annoying high-pitched whistling you sometimes hear with certain electronic devices. Even at lower volume settings, the Mini Sound Amplifier produced significant amounts of feedback that would likely irritate most patients.
Drawback #3: Basic volume control.
In order to change the volume on the Mini Sound Amplifier, you need to take a little flathead screwdriver (provided with the hearing aid) and turn it to adjust the volume.
Drawback #4: No Bluetooth connectivity.
The Mini Sound Amplifier doesn’t offer Bluetooth connectivity, which means that you can’t connect to any smartphones.
Drawback #5: Occlusion.
When you put the Mini Sound Amplifier in your ear, it “occludes” or plugs your ear completely, thereby changing the quality of your voice. Most patients prefer a hearing aid that goes up and behind the ear, in order to get the benefits of wearing a hearing aid without the burden of plugging the ears.
4. Britzgo Hearing Aid
Benefit #1: Affordability.
The Britzgo Hearing Aid retails for under $100 on Amazon.
Benefit #2: On/off switch.
Britzgo Hearing Aid has an on/off switch, which is a convenience that isn’t typically found on most modern hearing aids.
Drawback #1: Too loud and noisy.
On all four of the preset programs, the hearing was too loud, peaking over many of the targets in my independent tests.
Drawback #2: Feedback.
Feedback refers to that very annoying high-pitched whistling you sometimes hear with certain electronic devices. Even at lower volume settings, the Britzgo Hearing Aid produced feedback that would likely irritate some patients.
Drawback #3: Sizing.
When fitting the Britzgo Hearing Aid in my ear, I found the tubing to be too long. Moreover, it wasn’t possible to shorten the tubing to a more comfortable length.
Drawback #4: No Bluetooth connectivity.
The Britzgo Hearing Aid doesn’t offer Bluetooth connectivity, which means that you can’t connect to any smartphones.
Drawback #5: Occlusion.
Even though the Britzgo Hearing Aid comes with rubber tips of various sizes, when you fit it in your ear, it still manages to “occlude” or plug your ear, thereby changing the quality of your voice.
3. OneBridge BTE Hearing Aid
Dr. Ben Thompson shares the pros and cons of the OneBridge BTE Hearing Aid.
Benefit #1: Affordability.
The OneBridge BTE Hearing Aid retails for under $100 on Amazon.
Benefit #2: Rechargeability.
The OneBridge BTE Hearing Aid is built as a rechargeable unit, with a small plug on the bottom. Thus, there is no need to worry about the small batteries common to other hearing aids that aren’t rechargeable.
Drawback #1: Too loud.
On all four of the preset programs, the hearing was too loud, peaking over many of the mid-frequency targets in my independent tests. One of the preset programs even peaked into a range that could induce hearing loss.
Drawback #2: Feedback.
Feedback refers to that very annoying high-pitched whistling you sometimes hear with certain electronic devices. The OneBridge BTE Hearing Aid produced feedback that would likely irritate some patients.
Drawback #3: Sizing.
When fitting the OneBridge BTE Hearing Aid into my ear, I found the tubing to be too long, with the hearing aid fitting too loose. Moreover, it wasn’t possible to shorten the tubing to a more comfortable length.
Drawback #4: No Bluetooth connectivity.
The OneBridge BTE Hearing Aid doesn’t offer Bluetooth connectivity, which means that you can’t connect to any smartphones.
Drawback #5: Occlusion.
When you put the OneBridge BTE Hearing Aid in your ear, it “occludes” or plugs your ear completely, thereby changing the quality of your voice.
2. OneBridge ITE Hearing Aid
Dr. Ben Thompson shares the pros and cons of the OneBridge ITE Hearing Aid.
Benefit #1: Affordability.
The OneBridge ITE Hearing Aid retails for under $100 on Amazon.
Benefit #2: Rechargeability.
The OneBridge ITE Hearing Aid comes with a rechargeable case, which you can plug right into the wall.
Benefit #3: Comfort.
The OneBridge ITE Hearing Aid fitted comfortably in my tests. They are fairly lightweight and thus sat nicely in my ear.
Drawback #1: Too loud.
On all three of my four tests, the OneBridge ITE Hearing Aid was too loud, peaking over many of the low- and mid-frequency targets in my independent tests.
Drawback #2: Poor sound quality.
In my independent tests, I found that speech heard through the OneBridge ITE Hearing Aid would often be distorted and lack clarity.
Drawback #3: Form factor.
The OneBridge ITE Hearing Aid has only one button. Thus, in order to decrease volume, you must first increase volume, and vice versa.
Drawback #4: No Bluetooth connectivity.
The OneBridge ITE Hearing Aid doesn’t offer Bluetooth connectivity, which means that you can’t connect to any smartphones.
Drawback #5: Occlusion.
When you put the OneBridge ITE Hearing Aid in your ear, it “occludes” or plugs your ear completely, thereby changing the quality of your voice.
1. Banglijian Hearing Aid
Dr. Ben Thompson shares the pros and cons of the Banglijian Hearing Aid.
Benefit #1: Affordability.
The Banglijian Hearing Aid retails for $160 on Amazon.
Benefit #2: Rechargeability.
The Banglijian Hearing Aid is built as a rechargeable unit, with a small plug on the bottom. Thus, there is no need to worry about the small batteries common to other hearing aids that aren’t rechargeable.
Drawback #1: Limited range.
In my independent tests, the Banglijian reproduced a limited volume range, with some of the preset programs falling short of various frequency targets. This limited output means that when users wear the hearing aids, they might experience lack of speech clarity. While these results weren’t bad compared to other hearing aids in this price range, they were still not a good match to real-ear measures.
Drawback #2: Limited volume control.
Changing the volume on the Banglijian Hearing Aid didn’t change much, with even the loudest setting not as loud as some might want.
Drawback #3: Feedback.
Feedback refers to that very annoying high-pitched whistling you sometimes hear with certain electronic devices. The Banglijian Hearing Aid produced feedback that would likely irritate some patients.
Drawback #4: Cheaply made.
The Banglijian Hearing Aid is made from very light plastic that felt like it could break without much force.
Drawback #5: No Bluetooth connectivity.
The Banglijian Hearing Aid doesn’t offer Bluetooth connectivity, which means that you can’t connect to any smartphones.
What To Do Next For Hearing Loss
Finding the right hearing aids can be a process. At Treble Health, we have compiled a consumer guide that explains the pros and cons of the best hearing aids on the market. Click here to get the free Hearing Aids in 2022: Consumer Guide.
Want to speak with an expert audiologist about hearing aids instead? At the tap of a finger, you can schedule a free Hear From Home™ telehealth consultation today! You’ll be connected with a real audiologist, not a salesperson, and there is no obligation or commitment.
