The South African Association of Audiologists (SAAA) Ethics & Standards committee has been flooded with queries about the cheap “hearing aids” that are being advertising on social media.
These devices are called PSAPs – “personal amplifiers”. They are preset at the manufacturer for a certain amount of hearing loss, in a set configuration that cannot be adjusted by a practitioner, on site. They may be considered ‘over the counter’ amplifiers.
SAAA would like to encourage the public to consult with a qualified, HPCSA-registered, Hearing Healthcare Professional for a thorough diagnostic assessment and consultation before choosing any hearing device.