Struggling to follow conversations? Turning up the TV louder than everyone else? You’re not alone - 1 in every 8 people has hearing loss in both ears. But that probably doesn’t make you feel all that much better about your current situation.

Even the simplest parts of daily life can become frustrating and isolating when hearing starts to fade - talking to loved ones, enjoying a show, hearing the doorbell. The good news, though, is that solutions exist to help you restore your hearing and get back to living life to the fullest.

But what’s the difference between a hearing aid and an amplifier - and more importantly, which is right for you? We’re here to help you choose between a hearing aid vs amplifier in this side-by-side comparison.

Hearing aids are FDA-regulated medical devices designed to improve hearing by targeting and processing speech frequencies. Amplifiers, on the other hand, just make everything louder (background noise included) without personalization or protection.

In many cases, the better fit for your daily lifestyle isn’t just a hearing amplifier - it’s a true hearing aid that provides consistent, reliable support. And you don’t need to spend $5,000 or go through multiple office visits to get started.

Audien Hearing has some of the best OTC hearing aids on the market. You can you can buy hearing aids online starting at just $98. With over 1 million customers served, our devices are designed to be stylish, easy to use, and effective - all without the traditional barriers of cost or complexity.

Explore our full range of affordable hearing aids. Or, learn more about the hearing aid vs hearing amplifier differences below, and which option may be right for you.

What’s the Difference Between a Hearing Aid and an Amplifier?

Hearing aids and hearing amplifiers can look similar at first glance, and they both serve to help you hear better. That’s where the similarities end, though. 

Unfortunately, many brands have only added to the confusion between a hearing aid vs amplifier by deceptively marketing their hearing amplifiers as hearing aids. This is not only misleading but can be downright dangerous in some cases.

These are distinct products with unique applications. So, what’s the difference between a hearing aid and an amplifier? 

What is a Hearing Aid?

Hearing aids are FDA-regulated medical devices designed specifically to treat hearing loss. They don’t just make sounds louder. They use digital signal processing to identify, isolate, and enhance speech frequencies while minimizing background noise.

This helps you hear more clearly in real-world environments like conversations, group settings, or busy restaurants. It doesn’t just amplify background noise, which is where the other half of the hearing aid vs hearing amplifier conversation comes into play.

Hearing aids, especially over-the-counter (OTC) models like ours here at Audien, are programmable with multiple hearing modes, noise cancellation, and feedback suppression. Many are rechargeable, discreet, and comfortable for daily wear.

Hearing aids are built to address the specific hearing needs of users with mild to moderate hearing loss. They’re developed by audiologists or engineers with hearing science backgrounds and are tested for safety and performance.

One key caveat that will come up later in our comparison of the hearing aid vs amplifier is these are classified as medical devices, thus, they have to meet FDA standards for quality, labeling, and claims.

What is a Hearing Amplifier?

Hearing amplifiers, also known as personal sound amplification products (PSAPs), are non-medical consumer devices designed to make all surrounding sounds louder. That sounds like what you’d want if you’re suffering from hearing loss - but it’s actually NOT.

These devices are typically marketed toward people with normal hearing who want help in very specific situations, like birdwatching, theater-going, or distant listening.

Amplifiers work by boosting all audio input equally, from voices and footsteps to background chatter, wind, or even dishwashers. There’s no intelligent filtering or speech recognition. That means they can actually make understanding speech more difficult in noisy environments.

Amplifiers are not intended to treat hearing loss, and since they’re not regulated as medical devices, brands that sell them don’t have to go through the same safety testing or quality controls as hearing aids.

That’s why you might see these priced so much cheaper. They’re not really going to help you if you struggle to hear conversations or song lyrics, though. They just don’t deliver the durability, comfort, and nuanced sound processing you need.

Hearing Aid vs Amplifier: Which is Right For You?

Ultimately, choosing between a hearing aid vs hearing amplifier is pretty simple. They serve different purposes, even though they’re often lumped together as similar devices. Here are some things to consider if you’re trying to choose between a hearing aid vs amplifier. 

Intended Purpose

Like we said above, hearing aids are medical devices designed to support people with mild to moderate hearing loss, using targeted signal processing to make speech clearer and background noise more manageable.

They don’t just make sounds louder - they enhance clarity, direction, and frequency-specific hearing. They’re engineered to improve the listening experience with features like noise cancellation, feedback suppression, multi-environment presets, and adaptive volume controls.

The stylish hearing aids we sell here at Audien are rechargeable and designed for all-day comfort, with subtle, in-the-ear style hearing aids and behind-the-ear (BTE) models. No matter what your needs are, we got you covered! 

Amplifiers, on the other hand, are intended for those with normal hearing who want a temporary boost in certain environments. Maybe that’s hearing wildlife on a hike or catching dialogue in a quiet theater. 

Whatever the case, they’re not suitable for people with hearing loss. You may end up having an even harder time differentiating between useful and distracting sounds.

Regulation and Safety Concerns

There are major differences between a hearing aid vs hearing amplifier as far as regulation goes, too. Remember, hearing aids are FDA-regulated medical devices. That means they have to meet strict safety, labeling, and performance standards.

In other words, you can enjoy peace of mind with the best affordable hearing aids here at Audien knowing every claim made is backed by testing and oversight. 

You can’t say the same for hearing amplifiers, though. These can be sold without meeting any clinical standards. They can be dangerous to users if the volume output is too high. In fact, overusing unregulated amplifiers can actually make hearing worse over time, especially if used to compensate for untreated hearing loss.

Cost Comparison

Amplifiers are typically cheaper upfront with prices ranging from $20 to $200. But their lower cost comes with significant trade-offs in sound quality, comfort, durability, and safety. When it comes to hearing loss, investing in the right solution can make a significant difference in your quality of life. Inexpensive options that don’t meet your needs may ultimately cost more in frustration and missed experiences. But that doesn’t mean you need to stress about financing or take out a loan for a hearing aid. Sure, traditional models start at $3,000 and require a complicated doctor’s visit. But whether you’re looking for the best hearing aid under $100 or the best hearing aid under $200, Audien has you covered. 

Now, it's possible to get safe, effective hearing support without overpaying or compromising on performance. But, let’s tie it all together before introducing our solutions: which is better, a hearing aid or a hearing amplifier?

So Which is Better, a Hearing Aid or a Hearing Amplifier?

You need a hearing aid if you have hearing loss, no matter how mild it may be. Amplifiers may look similar, but they don’t offer the clarity, control, or protection required to improve real hearing challenges.

While hearing aids used to be expensive and inaccessible, that’s no longer the case. Brands like Audien now make them affordable, rechargeable, and easy to use without a prescription. So, take the next step towards clearer hearing today!

Start Hearing Clearly Again Without Prescriptions or High Costs at Audien Hearing!

We make it simple to hear better without clinic visits, hearing tests, or sky-high prices. Our FDA-registered over-the-counter hearing aids are built for mild to moderate hearing loss and ship directly to your door, fully rechargeable and ready to use.

We design every model with clarity, comfort, and cost-efficiency in mind. No upsells, no subscriptions - just proven hearing support backed by over 1 million satisfied users and lifetime US-based customer support. Here’s a look at the lineup:

• Atom One ($98): One-mode hearing aid with 24-hour battery life and a discreet, in-ear design. Affordable, effective, and great for first-time users.
• Atom 2 ($189): Features four hearing modes and our advanced A2™ chip for improved sound clarity across various environments.
• Atom Pro 2 ($289): Adds background noise cancellation, a UV-cleaning charging case, and 48+ hours of battery life per charge.
• Ion ($489): Directional sound technology and enhanced speech clarity for more dynamic listening environments.
• Ion Pro ($689): Our most advanced model, offering Bluetooth streaming, app control, and six personalized hearing modes.

Every Audien device includes free shipping, a 45-day risk-free trial, and no-nonsense setup. Our customer service team is a click or call away to help you choose the right device for your needs and budget, too - so don’t hesitate to reach out!

Bringing Our Hearing Aid vs Hearing Amplifier Comparison to a Close

We hope this comparison of the hearing aid vs amplifier has left you feeling clear on the key differences and which best suits your needs. They’re distinct solutions for different purposes, even though some brands have blurred the lines for the sake of selling their amplifiers.

Only one is built to address actual hearing loss. Amplifiers boost all sound, while hearing aids - especially FDA-registered models like Audien’s - enhance speech clarity, reduce background noise, and protect your hearing over time. 

Want to weigh your options before investing in an Audien device? We get it. And, we’ve put together a few resources to help you feel more confident choosing the right solution:

• Oracle vs Audien hearing aids
• Audien vs MD hearing aid
• Audien vs Jabra hearing aids
• Nano vs Audien hearing aids

But with a risk-free trial, why not hear the difference yourself today? Explore our hearing aids and find the model that fits your needs - affordable, effective, and built to work right out of the box.