Online hearing devices are relatively new to the audiology world. With the internet providing manufacturers an avenue to sell their products, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype.

Professional marketing companies are very good at their jobs and so it may seem like a breakthrough in hearing technology, but at a closer glance, not all that glitters is gold!

May is known as Better Hearing Month and we are excited ambassadors of this.

We hope to use this month to really help the residents in Madison and Huntsville get the correct information about their hearing and the tools available to improve their hearing and lifestyle.

An online hearing device is simply a personal sound amplifier. With minimal technology and even less support, there is a limited market for these products.

However not all bad, there are some things you should know about them.

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Why Are Online Hearing Devices Gaining Popularity?

Unfortunately, we are all doing what we can when dealing with the pandemic these days. It has affected many lives and mostly in a negative way.

Many professional hearing offices have shut down during COVID, but people still need hearing help.

This has forced people to stay home and self-diagnose. With the abundance of time spent on the internet, it is easy to get caught up and even more so if you are struggling with a hearing loss.

The allure of cheaper prices and having it delivered straight to your door is reason enough for some people to forgo expert advice and give these online hearing devices a chance.

There is also comfort found in the anonymity of the internet as well. Some people are self-conscious about their condition and may not even want to tell their family, let alone visit a stranger in their office.

This kind of thinking can end up doing more harm than good over the long term.

Online Hearing Devices vs. Hearing Aids

Online Hearing Devices 

There are many different products available to you under this title. We advise everyone to be very careful and do their research if they choose this path.

There are third-party sellers that can promise the world, but if it doesn’t work out for you specifically, there is no recourse for you.

These devices are sometimes sold without the manufacturer’s permission, and therefore, if you have a problem with it, they will not help.

Hearing Aids 

The best way to get a true hearing aid is to visit a hearing expert. We have the tools and training to fit the best hearing aid for you.

Hearing aids are a modern marvel and to get them fitted correctly takes years of experience.

We can adjust your hearing aid to not only amplify sound but also to reduce background noise, have it fit your ear discretely, and best of all, as your hearing changes, so does your hearing aid.

With minor adjustments and regular check-ups, you will notice a huge improvement in your hearing and lifestyle for years to come. 

There is No Substitute

At the end of the day, there is a fine line between online hearing devices and hearing aids prescribed and fitted by audiologists.

Dealing with a hearing care expert provides better service, knowledge, and support.

At Alabama Hearing, we follow Best Practices and are dedicated to our patients throughout North Alabama.

If you are struggling with your hearing, please call to schedule an appointment.

We can evaluate what hearing aid is best, and if you have an OTC or online hearing aid, we can evaluate it in noise and REM.

We look forward to hearing from you.

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Dr. Susan Sheehy

Dr. Sheehy earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in audiology at the University of Alabama before beginning her career as a clinical audiologist in Huntsville. In 2005, she received her doctorate in audiology from Salus University. Dr. Sheehy is one of a specialized subset of audiologists certified in tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT). By appointment from the governor, she has served as a member and chairperson of the Alabama Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.