Cheap hearing aids are costing users more than they realise

PRESS RELEASE

Published October 6, 2025

The Life-Changing Impact of the Right Hearing Aid

Subiaco, Australia - October 6, 2025 / Hearing & Audiology /

Cheap hearing aids are costing users more than they realise

Before Martin purchased cheap hearing aids, he had enjoyed regular pub catchups on Friday nights with friends and work mates. His quick wit often carried the table. At family birthdays, he gave booming toasts that brought laughter and cheers. Even in work meetings, his colleagues valued how he listened carefully and responded with insight.

But over the years, hearing issues appeared and something shifted.

At the pub, he missed punchlines. At family dinners, he smiled and nodded, hoping no one asked him to repeat what he hadn’t heard. At work, he stopped speaking up, fearing he’d misheard critical details.

“I thought it was just bad acoustics,” Martin says. “Too much background noise, people talking over each other. But it was me. I was falling behind.”

Encouraged by his wife, Martin visited a clinic. Entry-level or cheap hearing aids were fitted. In the quiet of the soundproof office, they seemed fine. “I walked out thinking I was fixed,” he recalls. But the very next weekend—his daughter’s birthday dinner—the clatter of cutlery, overlapping voices, and background music collapsed into a blur. “I felt just as lost as before,” Martin says.

That’s when he sought out a second opinion at Hearing & Audiology, Perth’s longest-running audiology clinic. Director Zoe Sampson explained what had gone wrong.

“Hearing aids are almost always fitted in quiet clinic rooms. In that environment, even cheap devices can seem fine. But life doesn’t happen in silence. The real test is in restaurants, cafés, pubs and family events—places full of competing sounds. If your audiologist doesn’t prepare you for that, you’ll be disappointed.” — Zoe Sampson

The Illusion of Quiet Testing

Cheap hearing aids amplify everything equally. In silence, they seem effective. But in noisy spaces—pubs, cafés, family gatherings—they struggle to separate speech from background clutter.

The result is mental fatigue, frustration and, over time, withdrawal. People start avoiding the very social situations they once enjoyed. Research links this kind of withdrawal to loneliness, depression and even faster cognitive decline.

“Cheaper devices may look like savings upfront, but the true cost is missed conversations, social withdrawal, and poorer long-term health. Investing in quality means investing in your future well-being.” — Zoe Sampson

Hearing Issues Don’t Just Affect Older People

Hearing loss isn’t only an older person’s issue. Emily, 42, is a project manager in Perth’s CBD. She noticed she was missing details in team meetings and struggled to follow client conversations in bustling cafés.

“I thought I could push through—just sit closer or double-check notes,” she says. But she was exhausted. After trying a set of budget devices, she quickly realised they weren’t enough.

With tailored, higher-quality aids, Emily found she could join fast-moving discussions again. “It wasn’t just about hearing,” she says. “It was about confidence. I could contribute without second-guessing myself.”

Her experience echoes Martin’s: the wrong aids give false reassurance in quiet settings but fail when it matters most—in noisy, unpredictable environments.

The Real Cost of “Cheap”

Social and Emotional Consequences

Studies show that untreated or poorly managed hearing loss is tied to smaller social networks, higher rates of loneliness, and greater risk of depression. For Martin, the change was immediate: “I stopped going to the pub, then family dinners, then even work drinks. It was easier to avoid the embarrassment.”

Cognitive and Health Risks

According to The Lancet, hearing loss is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for dementia. A recent study also found that hearing aid use lowers the risk of premature death by nearly a quarter. Staying connected keeps the brain and the body, healthy.

Why Premium Hearing Aids Perform Differently

Premium devices are designed for real life, not just quiet rooms.

Directional microphones focus on the voice you want to hear.
Noise reduction algorithms cut down background clutter.
AI-driven processors adapt seamlessly as environments change.
Connectivity lets you stream phone calls, music and TV directly.

A European study comparing basic and premium models found that premium wearers reported 35 per cent higher satisfaction in noisy environments. Another survey showed they attended 50 per cent more social events, because they felt confident, not excluded.

“The difference is night and day,” says Zoe Sampson. “With the right technology, people stop straining and start engaging again. They tell us they feel like themselves, confident, social, and connected.”

Questions to Ask Before You Buy

Because fittings often happen in silence, it’s critical to ask the right questions before choosing hearing aids.

Will these hearing aids perform well in restaurants, pubs, and cafés?
How do they handle family events or large gatherings?
What about outdoor environments with wind and traffic noise?
Can they adapt to different daily situations—quiet at home, noisy at work, social outings?
Do they connect to phones, TVs or laptops I use every day?
What kind of follow-up support and fine-tuning do you provide?

“The initial fitting is only the beginning. Premium aids need adjustments over time, and clients need support as they adapt. That ongoing care is what turns hearing aids into life-changing devices.” — Zoe Sampson

Why Hearing & Audiology Is Different

As Perth’s longest-running audiological clinic, Hearing & Audiology has decades of experience helping West Australians rediscover sound. Zoe and her team provide:

Personalised fitting matched to each client’s lifestyle.
Real-world testing beyond the clinic room.
Ongoing fine-tuning and support so devices evolve with clients’ needs.
Human-centred care, driven by one mission: restoring connection.

Real Stories, Real Change

“I could barely keep up with my grandkids at the playground. With my new hearing aids, I don’t miss a single laugh or shout of ‘Come on, Grandpa!’”
“Sunday dinners used to exhaust me. Now I’m part of every joke, every story, without straining.”

These stories reflect what happens when advanced technology meets expert care.

Only Settle for “Good Enough” if you want to be disappointed.

Cheap hearing aids may pass the test in a quiet office, but life doesn’t happen in silence. The true test is at the dinner table, the café, the workplace, the wedding reception. That’s where you need clarity and connection.

With expert guidance and premium devices, people like Martin and Emily show what’s possible: renewed confidence, richer relationships and better long-term health.

By choosing high-quality hearing aids—and working with professionals like Zoe Sampson and her team at Hearing & Audiology—you’re not just improving hearing. You’re investing in a total quality upgrade for your life.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are cheap hearing aids not effective in noisy places?
Cheap hearing aids usually amplify all sounds equally, so background noise like chatter, clinking cutlery, or traffic can overwhelm speech, making conversations harder to follow.

2. What makes premium hearing aids different from budget models?
Premium devices use advanced features like directional microphones, noise reduction algorithms, and AI-driven processors. These allow them to focus on voices and adapt to changing environments, giving much clearer results in real life.

3. Do hearing aids really reduce the risk of dementia?
Yes. Research, including studies published in The Lancet, shows untreated hearing loss is linked to faster cognitive decline. Proper use of hearing aids helps keep the brain engaged and reduces this risk.

4. Are hearing problems only an issue for older people?
No. Hearing loss can affect anyone at any age. Younger professionals often notice it in meetings, cafés, or social events where following conversations becomes difficult.

5. How do I know if my hearing aids are properly fitted?
A proper fitting should involve real-world testing, not just sitting in a quiet clinic. Your audiologist should fine-tune your devices based on how they perform in noisy and varied environments.

6. What follow-up care should I expect with premium hearing aids?
Good clinics provide ongoing support, adjustments, and training to make sure your devices evolve with your needs. This follow-up care is essential to get the full benefit.

7. How much should I expect to invest in quality hearing aids?
Premium hearing aids cost more upfront, but they deliver long-term value by improving social connection, mental health, and quality of life—things budget devices often fail to provide.