So, what exactly is the difference between a Personal Sound Amplification Product (PSAP), also known as a hearing amplifier and a hearing aid?
- PSAPs (or hearing amplifiers) help people hear things that are at low volume or at a distance. They are intended for use by people who do not suffer from hearing loss and should not be used as a substitute for hearing aids by those who actually need hearing aids for hearing loss.
- Hearing aids, on the other hand, are meant for those who suffer from hearing loss and are customized specifically for the patients hearing needs. Hearing aids differentiate between sounds and amplify them based on the characteristics of that sound. For example, at Beltone, our latest technology has Personal Sound ID, which mimics the natural sound level differences between your ears, helping you identify where sounds are coming from. And, CrossLink Directionality enhances sound quality by monitoring the sound environment and automatically switching to the most natural speech focus settings.
- This specific topic is so important, even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has become involved. They say, “Choosing a PSAP as a substitute for a hearing aid can lead to more damage to your hearing. It can cause a delay in diagnosis of a potentially treatable condition. And, that delay can allow the condition to get worse and lead to other complications.”