What Is the Difference Between Hearing Aids and Amplifiers?

Personal sound amplification products, sometimes called PSAPs or simply amplifiers, are devices that make sounds louder. They're commonly sold online and are often marketed as a lower-cost alternative to hearing aids.

Because amplifiers make all sounds louder without adjusting for your specific hearing pattern, they can sometimes make things harder in certain situations, particularly in noisy environments, where background noise gets amplified right along with speech.

Unlike hearing aids, amplifiers can usually be purchased without a hearing assessment or professional fitting. While that might seem like an attractive option, one of the biggest concerns is that an amplifier can mask an underlying hearing problem without actually addressing it, causing more harm in the long run.

One of the most common misconceptions about hearing loss is that it simply makes everything quieter, like turning down the TV dial.

In reality, the challenge with hearing loss is often clarity, not volume. Many people find they can hear someone speaking, but their words sound blurred together, making it difficult to grasp what they're saying. This is because our ability to distinguish specific words relies on a wide range of sound frequencies. While you may be able to hear the volume of vowels, you miss the crisp, high-pitched consonant sounds (like s, f, th, sh) that give words their definition. This is why so many people tell us, "I don't have hearing loss. Everyone is just mumbling."

Modern hearing aids, like the ReSound Vivia 9, are custom-programmed to your unique hearing needs rather than simply making everything louder. They also help manage background noise and automatically adjust to different listening environments throughout the day, allowing you to spend more time focusing on the person talking and less time distracted by the sounds around you.

If you've noticed you're struggling to hear as well as you used to, we recommend seeing an audiologist as soon as possible, as having a complete picture of your hearing health allows us to be proactive and talk about what support might help you now and in the future.

It's also worth noting that your hearing will change over time, so it's important to find an audiologist who you trust and will make sure you're always getting the most out of your hearing aids. This support may include:

• Regular adjustments
• Repairs and replacements
• Troubleshooting
• Time to answer your questions

Ear360 is a comprehensive assessment that goes beyond the sounds you can hear and explores how your hearing impacts other areas of your life, such as sleep, balance, tinnitus and cognitive function. To understand what to expect, check out our guide on what happens during an Ear360 assessment or call our team on 0800 737 662.

Below are some of our most frequently asked questions related to Hearing Aids vs Amplifiers