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Disposable Hearing Aids
Disposable hearing aids are simpler than conventional hearing aids. They are currently being marketed to the baby
boomer population, with the thought that devices that can be cheaper for people with only mild or moderate hearing
loss. Unlike conventional hearing aids, they are not custom-fitted. They usually cannot be adjusted, and instead
come in a variety of configurations or prescriptions, selected to match the user’s level of hearing loss.
A disposable hearing aid’s batteries cannot be replaced. They are designed to be thrown out after the batteries
expire, which usually last for just over a month. Disposable hearing aids will offer similar quality as a
conventional analog hearing aid.
The idea behind disposable hearing aids is that they will appeal to those people who are not sure if they need a
hearing aid, and do not wish to spend the money required to purchase a conventional hearing aid. Disposable hearing
aids usually cost between $40 and $50 each. This compares to a conventional digital hearing aid which can cost up
to five thousand dollars for a pair. While a conventional hearing aid should last for about five years, the overall
price of disposable hearing aid may be slightly more expensive. However, there is not as much money tied up in the
device at any one time, making replacement much easier.
A disposable hearing aid can be available immediately after a hearing test. There is no need to wait for it to be
manufactured like a conventional hearing aid. The potential cost of repair or replacement batteries is eliminated
as if the device breaks; you just throw it out and get a new one. If the device is lost or dropped, the cost of a
replacement is far less than for a conventional hearing aid.
While disposable hearing aids are sometimes described as one size fits all, they actually fit about 80% of adult
male ears and about 60% of adult female ears, although some products advertise a higher rate of match. Most
disposable aids are of the in the ear type. However, instead of being molded to the ear, they make use of a soft
cap that provides an acoustic seal about halfway down the ear canal.
A disposable hearing aid does have a short life span. They cannot be custom fit, meaning they may be uncomfortable
for some people. And disposable hearing aids are not as flexible as modern digital hearing aids, which can be
programmed to respond differently in a wide variety of situations. Perhaps the biggest concern of audiologists
about disposable hearing aids is that users of them will not have their hearing checked on a regular basis, leading
to potential uncorrected problems.
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