Amazon’s annual Prime Day sale runs July 16-17, where Prime members can find special deals and markdowns on thousands of items. Whatever you’re in the market for, Amazon probably has it.
I’m currently looking for a countertop ice maker and as I scrolled through the many options, I started clicking through a few to see what they’re all about. Perusing the product photos, I noticed a handy feature – many of the postings actually noted the decibel noise level of that particular ice maker. Having recently purchased a dehumidifier that advertised itself as “quiet” and it being anything but, I thought this was a handy feature and a simple way to convey the ambient noise of the appliance under consideration.
Conducting a small, non-scientific experiment, I checked out other electronics, such as a standing fan and an individual ice cream maker (a standard shopping list during a heat wave). Both product listings included imagery representing the sound level when using the devices, with most small home electronics falling below normal conversation levels.
As you shop, keep an eye out for helpful features such as these. While many of these small electronics devices may not be loud enough to cause damage to your hearing, they may produce enough sound to be annoying or cause normal conversation to become more difficult. And, speaking of noise protection, this is a great time to stock up on earplugs or protective earmuffs so you can stay safe around much home renovation tools or loud hobbies.
If you’re considering checking out over-the-counter (“OTC”) hearing aids on Amazon, make sure to first do your research. Seeing a licensed hearing professional before making a purchasing decision can help rule out any underlying medical conditions and specifically evaluate your unique degree of hearing loss. Hearing professionals can also provide advice on devices and technologies that may best suit your individual lifestyle and needs.
Before clicking “add to cart”, make sure you understand if any return policies apply to your purchase or if there is a warranty or protection plan available. It can take time to adjust to new hearing aids, so ensure you have the opportunity to find the solution that works best for you. You can find more helpful tips here, including identifying misleading advertising, verifying registered and listed devices, and labeling information for OTC hearing aids.
To learn more about hearing health, hearing professionals, and hearing aids, visit hearing.org.
The Hearing Industries Association is the trusted voice on hearing health care for product innovation, public policy, patient safety and education.
