Voice Amplifier Performance Falls Short of Ads, Consumers Warned

The performance of voice amplifiers, which are gaining popularity as a more affordable alternative to hearing aids, has been found to differ from their advertised claims. A survey by the Korea Consumer Agency revealed that 8 out of 12 products on the market showed discrepancies between their stated performance and actual measured values. Some devices exhibited lower amplification capabilities or higher noise levels, resulting in significant performance variations among products.

Despite voice amplifiers potentially causing negative effects on hearing if misused, five of the surveyed products failed to display warning labels. As voice amplifiers are classified as general electronic devices, there are no specific performance standards for them.

The Korea Consumer Agency advised consumers to check individual product performance and fit before purchasing, and to select a device suitable for their specific usage environment.