You’ll find the Banglijian BLJ-109 in the category for hearing amplifiers under $100. That’s not necessarily promising. This category is littered with disappointments. Despite the promises of great products for a low price, it seems that nobody can deliver. The Banglijian BLJ-109 could be the exception. Not only is it made by a company with a reputable history, it offers some technologies that are notably missing in most cheaper models, such as noise-reduction technologies and different hearing programs.
The Banglijian BLJ-109 is not a new model hearing amplifier. Instead, it has been updated with new technologies that can now be offered on lower-cost models as well. These updates might make this device the exception to the disappointment rule and give you a rather complete hearing amplifier for less than $100.
Below, we will see if the Banglijian works as you would expect. I will discuss the key features, general performance and possible shortcomings of the BLJ-109. As always, I list a few alternative hearing amplifiers and give you a buying recommendation based on your needs. At the bottom of this review for the Banglijian BLJ-109, I’ve put a visual summary of my findings . An overview of summaries for all reviewed models can be found on the 30-second reviews page.
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Key features of the Banglijian BLJ-109
The first key feature that distinguishes the BLJ-109 is that it’s rechargeable. This feature can also be found in other Banglijian hearing amplifiers, such as the Banglijian Ziv-201 series. With the new updates for the BLJ-109, however, the expected battery life with a two-hour charge is an incredible 40-60 hours. This feature saves you money otherwise spent on batteries and benefits the environment. It also means you’ll never have to order your batteries at the last moment.
Another key feature is that the Banglijian BLJ-109 is packed with ‘advanced’ technologies. Although these technologies aren’t all that advanced, they’re hardly ever offered on hearing amplifiers that are less than $100. Amplifiers in this price category generally amplify all sounds equally and lack any form of noise reduction. Finding this feature on the BLJ-109 is a game changer.
The last key feature is the program selection, which allows you to switch between different listening modes. Essentially, it tells the noise reduction filter how much should be filtered out. The options are: everyday mode, moderate noise reduction mode and noisy environment mode.
Fun fact: the Banglijian BLJ-109 is listed in our post with the five best rechargeable hearing amplifiers.
Who is this hearing amplifier for?
With a peak gain of 43dB, the Banglijian BLJ-109 is suitable for people with moderate to severe hearing loss (but leaning heavily towards moderate). The pretty small size makes it an easy buy for first-time users, who might also be persuaded by the sleek packaging. At an attractive price point, this hearing amplifier is also a great budget-friendly choice.
Does the Banglijian BLJ-109 work well?
Key features and a great price point are only worth mentioning if the model works as promised. In the case of the Banglijian BLJ-109, this is the case indeed. It’s easy to use and has six different volume levels on top of the listening programs.
The design allows you to wear the device in either ear. This means you can buy just one hearing amplifier without being forced to pick an ear, or switch ears based on your needs in a specific situation. While it’s still advisable to wear a pair of hearing amplifiers, most people prefer to start out with one.
The sound quality is the best in its price category, but nothing spectacular. Amplified sounds are clear, and high-frequency sounds (the kind first lost with age-related hearing loss) are amplified more than others. At the same time, the sound isn’t crystal clear. Some sounds come across a bit metallic and there is a slight whistling sound. Still, it works like a charm and better than you’d expect from a hearing amplifier in this price range.
The included three-year warranty deserves a special mention. This manufacturer warranty ensures that any upcoming manufacturing defects are covered. If any problems arise, Banglijian will provide a new hearing amplifier free of charge.
What’s not to like about the Banglijian BLJ-109?
I’ve mentioned the sound quality before, and while I want to stress that it’s a great quality for the price of the BLJ-109, it’s not the same sound quality you will find in more expensive models. The slight whistling sound is also a problem you wouldn’t find in those more expensive models.
While the device is well-made, the tube and ear pieces are a bit clunky to work with. Because you have to adjust these pieces to fit your ears, this can be a more frustrating experience than strictly necessary.
Although it’s not a reflection on how this hearing amplifier works, make sure you save the Banglijian BLJ-109 user manual. Banglijian doesn’t have a website and doesn’t share their user manuals. Their customer service luckily is more than happy to help.
Should you buy this model?
If you are looking for a great deal, you should definitely buy the Banglijian BLJ-109. While the sound quality isn’t magical, it’s good, especially for the sharp price. You will not find a better hearing amplifier for less than $100, making this a prime choice for a tight budget.
If your budget isn’t quite as tight, it would be worth looking into a higher price category. You can find a hearing amplifier for less than $200 that offers all the convenience of the Banglijin BLJ-109, and then some. Because the sound quality in this price range is also better, you get a better overall hearing experience. I have listed some alternatives in the section below.
Alternatives for the Banglijian BLJ-109
If you like the rechargeable feature of the Banglijian and the overall sound of this hearing amplifier, there’s a good chance you’ll also like its bigger brother, the Banglijian Ziv-201. This series of hearing amplifiers comes in a few different configurations, so you can choose the precise model that best fits your needs. It’s a step up from the BLJ-109, but not too big of a step in price.
An even smaller step in price can be found with the LAIWEN LP-01. This recently updated model offers even more features than the BLJ-109. While it doesn’t technically fit into the same price category, the difference is so small that it’s still a great budget buy.
Some people are not interested in the advanced technologies that the BLJ-109 has to offer. All they want is a hearing amplifier that keeps the volume of the TV down while they can still hear it. While any hearing amplifier will serve that purpose, the Britzgo 220 is the most budget-conscious way to do it. While it will disappoint with anything beyond watching TV or listening to music, it serves that purpose very well.
Since the Banglijian first came out, other models have taken its place as the best budget model. Although the price point of around $300 is quite a bit more, the Neosonic B10 offers a great all-round budget solution.
The price for the BLJ-109 has dipped below $100, and is around $80 on Amazon.
The Amazon storefront for the company offers extra domes.
The BLJ-109 has dimensions of 1.65 x 0.59 x 0.39 inches – a pretty standard size.
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