What is the difference between a PSAP and a hearing aid?

A recurring problem

There are many people with hearing loss who cannot afford hearing aids because they are expensive. They will buy inexpensive personal sound amplifier products over the counter. So do these work for people with hearing loss and what is the difference between a PSAP and a hearing aid?

This is a recurring problem. It is difficult to figure out the difference between the technology because the marketing, wording and images used to advertise personal sound amplifiers (PSAPS) and hearing aids (HA) look very similar.

Fortunately, the FDA has definitions and regulations for the products.

A hearing aid is a medical device that addresses hearing loss.

A personal sound amplification product is a non-medical device that provides amplification only.

So, let’s take a deeper look at these differences.

Hearing Aids

A hearing aid is prescribed, which means it is programmed with algorithms to accommodate your individual hearing loss. The computer inside the hearing aid provides different levels of amplification at different frequencies. It also contains features and functions that can process sound digitally. Examples include improving speech comprehension and maintaining or improving comfort. Depending on the type of hearing aid, the technology performs this operation automatically.

Hearing aids are fitted by qualified audiology professionals who can fit, fine tune and adjust the hearing aid to fit the patient, in addition to fitting, fine-tuning and adjusting the hearing aid. The audiologist will also provide other valuable services at the time of hearing aid purchase, such as counseling, rehabilitation support and needs assessment.

PSAPs

Personal Sound Amplification Products provide amplification for ambient sound. Typically, these devices are purchased online or over the counter and do not provide amplification based on individual hearing loss. Audiologists are not involved in the fitting. This is a one-time consumer purchase and therefore does not usually include additional services.

The decision to choose a PSAP or HA is a personal one and can be based on many factors, such as budget, readiness to receive a hearing aid, or degree of hearing loss.

As a professional manufacturer of hearing aids, I recommend that if you feel that your hearing level has changed, or if you notice that conversation is not easy, visit our hearing aid manufacturer professional technician for a hearing test. When you visit a hearing health care professional, there is no commitment to purchase anything. Most hearing tests are free or offered at very reasonable prices. If you don’t want to make an appointment at the clinic, there are also some great screening tests available online.