Gone are the days of having to spend thousands of dollars just to start hearing better. Those with mild to moderate hearing loss can easily buy hearing aids online for as little as $98, avoiding the hassle of doctor’s visits or hearing tests along the way.
But not all brands selling hearing aids online are created equal. In fact, quite a few peddle personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) under the guise of hearing aids. These devices simply make everything around you louder rather than helping you hone in on voices.
We get asked all the time - are Audien hearing aids just amplifiers? Or, are Audien hearing aids true hearing aids? We’ve decided to answer this question once and for all to finally put it to rest: these are genuine, FDA-registered hearing aids!
Not just any hearing aids, either. The best OTC hearing aids for the money, bar none. You get exceptional value for the money, access to a wide range of solutions tailored to your hearing needs, and of course, world-class customer service from A to Z.
We encourage you to learn more about our affordable hearing aids over on our website or get in touch for one-on-one support picking the right device. Otherwise, we’ll share more context on the differences between hearing aids vs amplifiers below to set the record straight.
What’s the Difference Between a Hearing Aid and an Amplifier?
First things first, we need to provide some background on hearing aids and amplifiers so you can better understand the category Audien Hearing falls into.
How Hearing Aids Work
Hearing aids do more than just make things louder. They’re engineered to make sound clearer. That distinction is everything when you have trouble following conversations in noisy environments. Otherwise, you’re just turning up jumbled noise and making matters worse.
A proper hearing aid captures sound through a microphone, processes it through a digital chip, and then delivers a customized output to your ear.
That digital chip is where the real work happens. It’s programmed to enhance the frequencies you struggle to hear, usually high-pitched consonants like “s” or “f”, while minimizing background noise that makes speech harder to follow.
Hearing aids also have features like feedback cancellation, directional microphones, and environmental adaptation so you can hear just as well in a chaotic restaurant as you do in the car on the phone.
In other words, they help your brain make sense of the sounds you’re missing rather than simply cranking up the volume on everything around you.
How Amplifiers Work
On the other hand, amplifiers treat all sound the same. Whether it’s your grandkid’s voice or the hum of your refrigerator, these devices make everything louder. There’s no sound processing, no background noise filtering, and no tailoring to your hearing profile.
Technically, they’re called Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs). They are not meant to treat hearing loss. They’re meant for occasional use by people with normal hearing who want to hear better in specific situations - like birdwatching, for instance.
The key distinction? Amplifiers boost sound. Hearing aids shape it. That being said, what category does Audien Hearing fall into? Are Audien hearing aids just amplifiers?
Are Audien Hearing Aids Just Amplifiers?
NO - these are real hearing aids, registered with the FDA. That means they’re built to support mild to moderate hearing loss and follow the same safety and effectiveness standards expected of any legal OTC hearing device in the US.
They don’t just boost sound across the board, they prioritize clarity, reduce background noise, and focus on the speech frequencies people lose first.
So Are Audien Hearing Aids True Hearing Aids?
Yes! In fact, we believe these are the best affordable hearing aids on the market. That’s because we’re genuinely passionate about helping more people hear better - breaking down the barriers that have made traditional prescription hearing aids inaccessible for too long.
Audien was founded after watching our own grandparents struggle with expensive, complicated hearing solutions. So, we took it upon ourselves to make a change. We created FDA-registered hearing aids that actually work without fittings, appointments, or $4,000 price tags.
We’re proud to have empowered more than a million people to hear more clearly since 2019, all while helping them avoid the financial stress or hassle of the typical route. Here’s what you get with Audien Hearing:
- A sleek, in-the-ear design that’s discreet and comfortable
- Clear, speech-optimized sound processing
- Rechargeable batteries that last all day
- A 45-day guarantee and lifetime customer support
We have licensed audiologists on our team helping steer us in the right direction, too. You can rest assured you’re investing in a solution that will make a tangible difference in your day-to-day life.
Don’t just take our word for it, though. Check out these comparisons with other top OTC hearing aid manufacturers to see how Audien Hearing stacks up:
In the meantime, we’ll take a look at our full lineup of stylish hearing aids below to help you choose the right device for your preferences and hearing needs.
Choosing the Right Audien Hearing Aid
Part of what makes Audien Hearing the #1 choice online is we don’t treat hearing loss (or the devices designed to treat it) as one-size-fits-all. Instead, we have a comprehensive range of products for everyone.
The Audien Atom is a great place to start if you’re looking for a simple, no-fuss option that you can start using right out of the box. It’s a small in-the-ear (ITE) device that’s comfortable for most ears and doesn’t require any app pairing.
You’ll find it works well in one-on-one conversations, watching TV, and everyday situations where background noise isn’t overwhelming. It’s the best hearing aid under $100, without question.
But maybe you want a bit more clarity and battery life - the Atom Pro is among the best hearing aids under $200. It has a longer-lasting rechargeable battery and slightly improved sound processing. It’s still app-free, which is great for people who want to adjust volume manually with a small dial rather than navigate smartphone settings.
However, our in-the-ear styles aren’t always the right choice - even if you want something super discreet. The behind-the-ear (BTE) styles we’ve developed could be a better fit if you have super-narrow ear canals or just want more amplification and stability.
The Ion and Ion Pro are especially useful if you have dexterity concerns, as they have larger buttons and an easier fit. The Ion Pro also comes with customizable hearing profiles through a companion app, which is helpful if you deal with different sound environments or want a more tailored experience.
Not sure which one is right for you? That’s where we come in. Our US-based customer care team is trained to help walk you through the differences, and our 45-day satisfaction guarantee means you can try the one that fits your needs best, risk-free.
So, learn more about our in-ear vs over-ear hearing aids, or connect with our experts for one-on-one support today. It’s time to start hearing better on your own terms!
Wrapping Things Up
In closing, are Audien hearing aids just amplifiers? Definitely not. These aren’t like Oracle “hearing aids” that just make everything around you louder.
Unfortunately, many people don’t realize how significant the difference between hearing aids and PSAPs is until after they’ve purchased an amplifier and are left underwhelmed and frustrated. Fortunately, those won’t be an issue when you shop with us.
Audien Hearing devices are true, FDA-registered hearing aids designed for real improvement, not just louder noise. They’re built to be affordable, effective, and easy to use - because you shouldn’t have to compromise when it comes to your hearing.
Let us help you find a device that actually makes a difference in your day-to-day life.
