Personal Sound Amplifier

A personal sound amplifier, or PSAP, is a device that amplifies the sounds around the wearer — conversations, the television, a doorbell. It is not a medical device and is not intended to treat diagnosed hearing loss.

How it differs from a hearing aid

A hearing aid is an FDA-regulated medical device tuned to a person's specific pattern of hearing loss, available over the counter for mild-to-moderate loss or by prescription for more complex cases. A PSAP simply makes nearby sound louder, without that customization. PSAPs are inexpensive and need no prescription, which makes them a practical first step for everyday listening — but for significant or one-sided hearing loss, an audiologist and a true hearing aid usually give better results.

Who benefits most

PSAPs help seniors with mild, gradual hearing difficulty who want to hear conversations and TV more clearly. See our best hearing amplifiers roundup and our hearing loss guide.