Generic sound amplifiers, they are everywhere online! These types of $500 amplifiers are being presented as an affordable "hearing aid" by Walmart, Sam's Club, Amazon, Buy.com, E-bay and a host of other online sales web sites.
But what most of them don't tell you is that it is not a "true" hearing aid as defined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Today's standards dictate that legitimate hearing aids are programmed by a computer to fit your exact loss.
At least the folks at Neutronic Ear admit upfront that it is not a real hearing aid.
On their web site they say: "First of all, Neutronic Ear is not a hearing aid; it is a PSAP, or Personal Sound Amplification Product. Until PSAPs, everyone was required to see the doctor, have hearing tests, have fitting appointments (numerous visits) and then pay for the instruments without any insurance coverage. These devices can cost up to $5000 each! The high cost and inconveniencedrove an innovative scientist to develop the Neutronic Ear PSAP."
So they admit that the Neutronic Ear is a non-prescription amplifier, and as such, should not be used as a substitute for a real hearing aid. But in their description they act as though it was designed for people with a hearing loss, by saying, "Until PSAPs, everyone was required to see the doctor, have hearing tests, have fitting appointments..."
The implication, is that it is for people with a hearing loss, when in reality the FDA defines a PSA (Personal Sound Amplifier) as being for someone with normal hearing and should not be used as a substitute for a hearing aid.
Some people have said that they cannot afford a prescription hearing aid, and therefore, $500 PSAs like the Neutronic Ear, the Songbird and the GHI Simplicity are their only option, but that is simply not the case.
If you have a hearing loss and need to hear better, do not settle for a generic amplifier. We have quality digital PRESCRIPTION hearing aids in that same price range.
So don't waste your time and money on a generic amplifier, when you can get a legitimate and superior, prescription hearing aid for the same price!
