Copdaz Hearing is an independent guide to hearing aids, captioning and American Sign Language. This page explains how we research, write, check and correct what we publish, so you can judge how far to trust any page on the site.
What We Cover
We write about three connected areas:
- Hearing technology: prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, hearing features in earbuds and phones, assistive listening devices, and related accessories.
- Captions and accessibility: live captioning apps, captioned phone services, TV and streaming captions, and the rules and standards that govern them.
- ASL and Deaf culture: introductory guides to American Sign Language, fingerspelling, learning options and etiquette.
Our goal is practical. We want readers to understand their options, ask better questions, and spend their money and time well.
General Information, Not Medical Advice
Nothing on Copdaz Hearing is medical advice. We do not diagnose hearing loss, and we cannot tell you which device suits your ears. Our articles are general information meant to help you have a more informed conversation with a qualified professional.
Hearing changes can have medical causes that no device will fix. Some need prompt treatment. For that reason, we tell readers plainly when to stop reading and see someone.
When We Tell You to See a Professional
We point readers to an audiologist, a hearing instrument specialist, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor or their primary care provider whenever an article touches on situations like these:
- Sudden or rapidly worsening hearing loss, which should be treated as urgent
- Hearing loss or ringing in only one ear
- Ear pain, discomfort, or fluid, pus or blood coming from the ear
- Dizziness or balance problems alongside hearing changes
- A suspected earwax blockage
- Hearing concerns in a child or teenager
Several of these match the warning signs the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires on OTC hearing aid labeling. OTC devices are intended for adults 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. When a reader’s situation falls outside that range, we say so directly instead of steering them toward a product.
How We Check Facts
Every factual claim should trace back to a source a reader could check. We rank sources roughly in this order:
- Health agencies and regulators. Examples include the FDA, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and the Federal Communications Commission. We use them for regulations, health statistics, device classifications and accessibility rules.
- Professional bodies. Examples include the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the American Academy of Audiology. We use them for clinical guidance, terminology and scope of practice.
- Published research. Peer-reviewed studies, with attention to sample size, who funded the work and whether the findings have been replicated.
- Manufacturer specifications and documentation. Official spec sheets, user manuals, regulatory filings and support pages for battery life, fitting ranges, app features, compatibility and similar details.
- Reputable reporting. Established news and trade outlets, used for context and recent developments, and confirmed against primary sources when possible.
Naming an organization as a source does not mean it endorses us or works with us. We have no partnerships with any of the agencies, bodies or companies we cite.
Claims We Treat With Extra Care
Marketing language is not evidence. When a manufacturer says a device “eliminates background noise” or offers “crystal-clear sound,” we describe what the feature actually does according to its documentation and avoid repeating the promise as fact. Health statistics get the same scrutiny: we report the figure, the source and the year rather than rounding it into something more dramatic.
How We Write About Products
We do not claim hands-on testing of specific products, apps or services. Our product coverage is research-based. It draws on specifications, regulatory status, official documentation, published research and the policies a buyer would actually encounter, such as return windows, warranties and trial periods.
If we ever test a product ourselves, the article will say so clearly and describe what we did. Unless a page states that, assume the coverage comes from research rather than personal use.
We do not accept payment to include, rank or favorably describe a product. If the site ever uses affiliate links or receives products from companies, we will disclose that on the relevant pages.
How We Report OTC Hearing Aid Prices
OTC hearing aid prices change often. Retailers run promotions, manufacturers adjust list prices, and bundles come and go.
When we list a price, it is the price shown by a retailer or the manufacturer on the date we checked, and we note that date on the page. Prices may differ by the time you read the article, and they can vary between sellers, colors and bundle options. Treat our figures as a reference point and confirm the current price before buying.
Where it is relevant, we also note what the price includes, such as a charging case, app access, remote support or a trial period, because the cheapest listing is not always the best value.
How We Approach ASL and Deaf Culture
ASL is a complete language with its own grammar, regional variation and history, and it belongs to the Deaf community. We write our ASL guides with that in mind.
In practice, this means:
- Respectful language. We follow the convention of using “Deaf” with a capital D for the cultural and linguistic community, and we avoid framing deafness only as a deficit to be fixed.
- Honest limits. Written descriptions and images cannot replace live instruction. Our guides are introductions, not substitutes for learning from fluent signers.
- Pointing to Deaf teachers. When readers want to learn ASL, we encourage classes and courses taught by Deaf instructors, along with Deaf-led community events and organizations.
- Accuracy on signs. Signs vary by region and community. When a sign has common variants, we say so instead of presenting one version as the only correct form.
We also recognize that people with hearing loss communicate in many ways. Hearing aids, cochlear implants, captions, lipreading and sign language are all valid, and many people use several. We do not rank them.
Keeping Content Current
Hearing technology and accessibility rules change. Regulations get updated, products are discontinued, apps change features and pricing, and new research appears.
We review published pages and update them when facts change. Articles that depend heavily on time-sensitive details, such as prices, product lineups or regulations, show when they were last checked or updated.
Corrections
We get things wrong sometimes, and we would rather fix an error than defend it.
If you spot a factual mistake, an outdated price, a broken detail or language that misrepresents Deaf culture or people with hearing loss, please contact us through the site. Tell us which page you mean and what you believe is incorrect. A source helps if you have one.
When we confirm an error, we correct it promptly. For changes that affect meaning, such as a wrong figure, a misstated regulation or inaccurate health information, we add a short correction note to the page explaining what changed. Minor fixes like typos or formatting are corrected without a note.
Our Independence
Copdaz Hearing is a new, independent site. We are not owned by a hearing aid manufacturer, retailer, clinic or captioning company. Our editorial decisions are our own, and this policy describes the standard we hold ourselves to on every page.