You've decided to try a personal sound amplifier. You've browsed some options. You're ready to buy. But before you enter your credit card number, pause and ask these five questions.
They're simple. They're obvious. And they'll save you from the most common purchasing mistakes in this category.
1. What's the Return Policy—Really?
This is the most important question, and it comes first for a reason.
Personal sound amplifiers are highly individual. A device that works perfectly for one person may not work for another. The only way to know if something works for you is to try it in your actual life—your home, your restaurants, your family dinners.
That means the return policy isn't just fine print. It's your safety net. It's what lets you buy with confidence instead of anxiety.
Ask specifically:
- How many days do I have? (30+ is good; 14 is tight)
- Are there any conditions? (Must be unopened? Must be in original packaging? Must include all accessories?)
- Is there a restocking fee? (There shouldn't be)
- Who pays return shipping? (Ideally, the seller)
- How do I actually initiate a return? (Is there a clear process, or will I be chasing someone?)
Red flags:
- Return policy is hard to find on the website
- Lots of exceptions and conditions
- High restocking fee (10%+)
- Customer pays return shipping to an international address
- "Contact us to discuss" instead of clear policy
What you want to see:
"30-day risk-free trial. Don't like it? Send it back for a full refund. No restocking fee. Prepaid return label provided."
If a company makes returns easy, they expect you to keep the product. If they make returns hard, they're planning for problems.
2. Who Do I Contact If Something Goes Wrong?
Electronics fail sometimes. Questions come up. You might need help with setup or settings. When that happens, who do you call?
Ask specifically:
- Is there a phone number I can call? Does a human answer?
- What are the support hours? (Canadian business hours matter if you're in Canada)
- Is support by email only? How quickly do they typically respond?
- Where is the company actually located?
- What language is support conducted in?
Try this before you buy:
Send an email with a pre-sale question. Something like: "Can you tell me more about the return process?" or "What's the difference between these two models?"
How quickly do they respond? How helpful is the answer? This tells you what post-sale support will be like.
Red flags:
- No phone number anywhere on the site
- Email goes unanswered for days
- Support is clearly overseas and struggles with English
- Generic, unhelpful responses to specific questions
- "Contact us through the Amazon order" is the only option
What you want to see:
A real phone number with Canadian business hours. Real people who respond promptly and helpfully. A company you can actually reach when you need them.
3. Is This Device Right for My Specific Situation?
Not all amplifiers are designed for the same use case. A device optimized for TV watching may not perform well in noisy restaurants. A device with directional microphones might not be ideal for outdoor activities where you want to hear everything around you.
Ask specifically:
- What is this device designed for?
- Will it work for [your specific situation]—TV watching? Restaurants? Church? Conversation at home?
- What features make it suitable (or unsuitable) for that use case?
- Do you have something better suited if this isn't the right fit?
Before you ask, know:
- Your primary use case (where do you most need help?)
- The environment (quiet? Noisy? Variable?)
- Your comfort with technology (do you want app control or simple buttons?)
- Your preference on visibility (discreet in-ear vs. behind-the-ear?)
Red flags:
- "It works for everything!" (No device is optimal for all situations)
- No specifics about what the device is designed for
- Features that don't match your use case
- Pressure to buy the most expensive option regardless of your needs
What you want to see:
Honest guidance about what the device does well and what it doesn't. Recommendations based on your actual situation. Willingness to suggest a different product if this one isn't right for you.
4. What Am I Actually Getting at This Price?
The personal sound amplifier market spans from $20 to over $1,000. Understanding what you're getting at each price point helps you make informed decisions.
Ask specifically:
- What's the build quality? Materials?
- What kind of sound processing does it include?
- Battery life and type?
- What's in the box? (Charger? Case? Extra ear tips? Instructions?)
- Is there a warranty? How long?
Understand the tiers:
-
Under $100: Basic amplification. Expect simple processing, basic build quality, shorter lifespan. May work for straightforward needs but limited for challenging environments.
-
$100-200: Entry-level quality devices. Rechargeable batteries, basic noise reduction, reasonable build quality. Good value for everyday use.
-
$200-400: Mid-tier with better processing. More sophisticated noise reduction, Bluetooth, app control, better durability. Handles restaurants and social situations.
-
$400+: Premium technology. Best processing, premium materials, longest warranties. For daily all-day use in varied environments.
Red flags:
- Price dramatically lower than comparable products (corners are being cut)
- Vague specifications that don't let you compare
- No warranty or very short warranty
- "Too good to be true" feature list at a low price
What you want to see:
Clear specifications you can compare to other products. Honest representation of what you get at this price point. A price that makes sense for what's included.
5. Can I Trust This Seller?
Anyone can set up a website and sell electronics. The question is whether they'll be there in six months if something goes wrong.
Ask specifically:
- How long has this company been in business?
- Are they a real company with real people, or a faceless dropshipper?
- What do reviews say—not just product reviews, but reviews of the company's customer service?
- Do they have a physical address? A real phone number?
- Are they based in Canada, or will you be dealing with international shipping and support?
Research methods:
- Search "[company name] reviews" and read beyond the first page
- Check Better Business Bureau or similar
- Look for the company on LinkedIn—are there real employees?
- See if they're mentioned in news articles or industry coverage
- Look at how long the domain has been registered (brand-new domains are riskier)
Red flags:
- No information about who's behind the company
- Only Amazon or AliExpress feedback (no independent presence)
- Address is a P.O. box or clearly fake
- Website looks like a template with no real content
- Reviews are all suspiciously positive and posted around the same time
What you want to see:
A real company with real people and a real history. Verified reviews that include some criticism (meaning they're real). A physical presence and responsive human support.
The Quick Checklist
Before clicking "buy," confirm:
- [ ] Return policy is at least 30 days, no restocking fee
- [ ] I know how to contact support and they've responded to a test inquiry
- [ ] This device is designed for my specific use case
- [ ] I understand what I'm getting at this price point
- [ ] I've verified this is a legitimate company I can trust
If any box is unchecked, pause and do more research—or choose a different seller.
Why This Matters
A personal sound amplifier can genuinely improve your daily life. Clear conversations. TV at reasonable volume. Family dinners where you catch every word. These are real benefits worth having.
But only if you buy the right product from the right seller. A bad purchase doesn't just waste money—it sours you on the whole category. You might conclude that "these things don't work" when really you just bought from the wrong place.
Take the time to ask these five questions. The extra few minutes of research will pay off in confidence, quality, and a purchase you don't regret.
At HearHelp, we welcome these questions—and we're happy with how our answers stack up. 30-day risk-free returns. Canadian phone support. Honest guidance on what each product is (and isn't) designed for. Transparent pricing. A real Canadian company that's been doing this and will still be here when you need us.