The internet makes it easy to find personal sound amplifiers—maybe too easy. A quick search returns hundreds of options ranging from $20 to $2,000, from sellers you've never heard of alongside major brands. How do you sort the legitimate options from the junk?
This guide covers what to look for (and what to avoid) when buying a personal sound amplifier online in Canada. No product recommendations—just the criteria that separate good purchases from regrettable ones.
The Quality Spectrum
Let's be direct: there's a lot of junk in this market. Cheap devices sold by fly-by-night sellers that break in weeks, provide terrible sound quality, or were never designed for the use cases they advertise.
There are also excellent devices at reasonable prices—quality electronics that perform well and last for years.
The challenge is telling them apart when you can't hold the product before buying.
Red Flags
Avoid sellers or products with these characteristics:
Prices that seem too good to be true. A $25 "hearing amplifier" from an unknown brand cannot deliver the audio processing of a $200 device. The economics don't work. You're either getting a simple amplifier with no real processing, or you're getting something that will fail quickly.
Vague or missing specifications. Legitimate devices list specific technical details: frequency response, maximum amplification, battery life, noise reduction technology, certifications. If a listing is all marketing language and no specs, that's a warning sign.
No clear return policy. Companies confident in their products offer generous return windows. If you can't find a clear return policy, or if it's buried in fine print with lots of exceptions, be cautious.
No way to contact support. Where is this company located? Is there a phone number? An email address that actually gets responses? If you have a problem in three weeks, can you reach anyone?
Reviews that seem fake. All 5-star reviews posted on the same day? Generic praise that could apply to any product? Reviewer names that look like random strings? These are signs of manipulated reviews.
Medical claims. In Canada, personal sound amplifiers cannot legally claim to diagnose, treat, or cure medical conditions. A device marketed as "treating hearing loss" or "restoring hearing" is either making illegal claims or is actually a regulated medical device being sold improperly. Either way, steer clear.
Green Flags
Look for sellers and products with these characteristics:
Clear company information. You can identify who's selling, where they're located, and how to contact them. Ideally, they're a Canadian company or have a Canadian presence.
Detailed specifications. The listing tells you exactly what the device does and how it's built. You can compare specs to other products meaningfully.
Generous return policy. 30 days or more, no-questions-asked, with free or low-cost return shipping. Companies that believe in their products make returns easy.
Responsive support. Send a pre-sale question by email. Do they respond? Quickly? Helpfully? This tells you what post-sale support will be like.
Mixed reviews. Paradoxically, some negative reviews are a good sign—they suggest the reviews are real. Look at what the negative reviews say. Are they about the product, or about things like shipping delays that don't reflect the device itself?
Appropriate certifications. Look for CE marking and FCC certification at minimum—these indicate the device meets basic safety and electromagnetic standards. Don't expect or require medical device certifications like FDA clearance for PSAPs—those apply to medical devices, which PSAPs are not.
Key Specifications to Compare
When evaluating products, these are the specifications that actually matter:
Battery
Rechargeable vs. disposable: Rechargeable is generally preferable for convenience. If disposable, what size battery and how long does it last?
Battery life: For rechargeable devices, how many hours per charge? Anything under 12 hours may not make it through a full day. 16-24 hours is ideal.
Charging method: Does it use a case, a dock, a USB cable? Is the charging solution practical for your lifestyle?
Sound Processing
Number of channels: More channels generally means better ability to adjust different frequencies independently. Entry-level devices might have 4-8 channels; advanced devices have 16+.
Programs/modes: How many pre-set programs? What environments are they designed for? Can you customize them?
Noise reduction: Is it included? How many levels? Can you adjust it?
Feedback cancellation: Is it automatic? How effective is it in real-world use?
Physical Design
Style: Behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-canal (ITC), completely-in-canal (CIC), or TV-specific headset? Each has trade-offs for visibility, comfort, and ease of use.
IP rating: IP54 or higher means reasonable protection against sweat, moisture, and dust. Important for daily wear.
Weight: Lighter is generally better for comfort during extended wear.
Controls: Physical buttons on the device? App-based control? Both? Which do you prefer?
Connectivity
Bluetooth: If included, what version? What can it connect to—phones, TVs, both?
Telecoil: Useful for venues with hearing loops, if that's relevant to you.
App compatibility: Does the app work with your phone's operating system? Check reviews of the app itself—some are excellent, others are frustrating.
Canadian Considerations
Buying from a Canadian seller or a company with Canadian operations offers several advantages:
Shipping: Faster delivery, no customs delays, no surprise duties or brokerage fees.
Returns: Easier to return within Canada than to ship internationally.
Support: Customer support during Canadian business hours, by people who understand Canadian context.
Warranty: Warranty service that doesn't require international shipping.
Consumer protection: Canadian consumer protection laws apply.
None of this means you can't buy from international sellers—but understand what you're giving up in convenience and protection.
Price vs. Value
Personal sound amplifiers span a wide price range. Here's what you generally get at each tier:
Under $100
Basic amplification with minimal processing. May work adequately for simple use cases like TV watching in a quiet room. Quality varies wildly. At this price, you're taking a risk on durability and performance.
$100-200
Entry-level devices from reputable manufacturers. Rechargeable batteries. Basic noise reduction. Multiple programs. Reasonable build quality. Good value for straightforward needs.
$200-400
Mid-tier devices with better processing, more sophisticated noise reduction, Bluetooth connectivity, app control, and better build quality. Handles more challenging environments like restaurants. The sweet spot for most people.
$400-700
Advanced processing, premium materials, longer warranties, better support. Meaningful improvements over mid-tier for people who use their device daily in varied, challenging environments.
$700+
Top-tier technology: adaptive AI, premium materials like titanium, the most sophisticated processing available. For people who want the best and will use the device extensively.
The key insight: Price doesn't guarantee quality, but suspiciously low prices guarantee compromise. A $50 device simply cannot deliver the technology of a $250 device. Know what you're buying at each tier.
The Return Policy Test
Here's a simple heuristic: a seller's return policy tells you how confident they are in their product.
Great return policies look like: 30+ days, no questions asked, full refund, free or prepaid return shipping, no restocking fee.
Concerning return policies look like: 14 days or less, restocking fees, customer pays return shipping, lots of fine print about "acceptable condition" or "original packaging required."
If a company makes returns easy, they expect most people to keep the product. If a company makes returns difficult, they're building friction to discourage returns they expect to receive.
Always verify the return policy before purchasing. Find it on the website. Read the details. If you can't find it, ask before buying.
What to Do Before You Buy
-
Identify your primary use case. What situation do you most need help with? Make sure the device you're considering is designed for that use case.
-
Set a budget. But be realistic about what you can get at that price point. If your needs require features that aren't available in your budget, consider saving up rather than buying something that won't work.
-
Research the seller. Where are they located? How long have they been in business? What do reviews say about their customer service, not just their products?
-
Read the return policy. Know exactly what happens if the device doesn't work for you.
-
Check the specifications. Does the device have the features you need? Can you compare it meaningfully to alternatives?
-
Contact support with a question. See how responsive and helpful they are. This predicts your experience if you have problems later.
-
Read reviews critically. Look for reviews from people with similar use cases to yours. Discount obviously fake reviews. Pay attention to patterns in complaints.
The Bottom Line
Buying a personal sound amplifier online is like buying any electronics: there are good products and bad ones, trustworthy sellers and sketchy ones. The information to tell them apart is available—you just have to look for it.
Prioritize sellers who are transparent, offer strong return policies, provide real support, and stand behind their products. Be skeptical of prices that are too low, claims that are too bold, and policies that are too restrictive.
And remember: you're not stuck with your first choice. Trial periods exist so you can test devices in your real life. If something doesn't work, return it and try something else until you find what does.
HearHelp is a Canadian company offering personal sound amplifiers with 30-day risk-free trials, free shipping within Canada, and Canadian customer support available by phone. We believe in transparency: clear specs, honest descriptions, and return policies that make sense.