Regarding hearing loss, the numbers say everything. As an illustration, around the world, over 466 million people experience some type of hearing issue. Or that about 10% of the population suffers from tinnitus, a chronic ringing in the ears? Perhaps the most disturbing statistic is the fact that only 16% of individuals who require hearing aids have ever used them.
People who require hearing aids might choose not to use them for numerous reasons. Often, pride and the perceived stigma of growing older causes them to suffer in silence.
Another apprehension is the price. It can be relatively challenging to get assistance paying for hearing aids and they can be pretty expensive.
Hearing aids are, however, the best available choice for the majority of people who have hearing loss, and there are other services and assistance available to people who couldn’t otherwise afford hearing aids.
The True Cost of Not Wearing Hearing Aids
Unfortunately, the true cost of not using a hearing aid can be even worse than the financial impact of purchasing them. Isolation, anxiety, and depression are more widespread in people with hearing loss and they also have a higher instance of mental health problems. When these problems are added up, the true cost of not getting hearing aids is significant, both in the quality of life and in health issues that pop up later. In fact, research has shown that neglecting hearing loss can increase your healthcare costs by as much as 40%.
What makes that figure even more shocking is that there are lots of ways to make hearing aids affordable.
Finding Affordable Hearing Aids
If you need hearing aids but can’t afford them, there are several ways you can still get them. The Starkey Hearing Foundation donates over 100,000 hearing aids every year to individuals dealing with hearing loss who otherwise could not afford treatments. Other groups and organizations provide financial assistance and refurbished hearing aids at a reduced price to individuals with limited incomes.
What is My First Move in Getting Affordable Hearing Aids?
Obtaining a hearing test to figure out what level and type of hearing loss you have is your first step. Your hearing test results will point you in the right direction and you can then look at solutions. We can also help you determine whether insurance, Veteran’s associations, or other affiliations will help with the costs.
In most cases, with a little effort, you can uncover a solution that will fit your budget.
Just ask us.