If you have hearing loss, you may think it’s time for a hearing aid. Available by medical prescription, hearing aids are customized to your own unique hearing needs. But not everyone needs that type of hearing assistance. Hearing amplifiers are available without a prescription and can help when you simply need to hear a little better.

Like non-prescription reading glasses, sound amplifiers serve to just magnify what’s happening around you. If you’re in a situation where you need to be able to hear the TV at a low volume, for instance, a hearing amplifier is great to have around. You can get a basic amplifier at a very low price, making it a great solution for watching movies late at night while everyone in the house is asleep.

Hearing amplifiers can be surprisingly advanced, packing in some of the very features consumers demand from prescription hearing aids. Some offer impressive sound quality and the ability to isolate what you need to hear in crowded rooms. As with prescription hearing aids, you’ll need to find a device that minimizes interference and feedback to avoid an unpleasant surprise while you’re using it.

Cost also makes hearing amplifiers a great alternative to hearing aids. Even medical professionals will sometimes recommend them for patients who are simply suffering hearing difficulties but aren’t quite serious enough to require a hearing aid. Although some of the more advanced amplifiers can retail for hundreds of dollars, hearing aids are generally priced in the thousands.

The design of the hearing amplifier can also play into how well you’re able to hear. Every ear is different, which means hearing aids are often customized to fit the individual’s ear as comfortably as possible. Hearing amplifiers, on the other hand, are more of a one-size-fits-all deal, so you may find some aren’t sized correctly to maximize your own experience.

If you plan to wear the hearing amplifier for any amount of time, you’ll also need to consider comfort. Some prioritize having them neatly tucked out of sight, which is easy to do if you have hair long enough to cover it. But it’s also important to make sure that your ear won’t start to feel sore after you’ve worn your amplifier for several hours. Otherwise, you’ll probably find it ends up in a drawer somewhere, never used.

Another important consideration is battery life. If you plan to wear your hearing amplifier for hours at a time, you’ll need a battery powerful enough to last. Some amplifiers use rechargeable batteries while others don’t. So, if you want to be able to simply set your device on a charger between uses, that’s worth noting.

Of course, over time, you may find that you need to move beyond a hearing amplifier and see a doctor for a hearing test. When that time comes, though, your experience with a hearing amplifier may help you know exactly what features you want in a hearing aid, including comfort, background noise silencing and size.