Have your family, friends, and co-workers been asking you to invest in hearing aids but you’ve been stubbornly avoiding it? Do you think that presently you really don’t need a hearing aid or that you’re not missing enough to warrant getting one?
If your hearing keeps getting worse, it could cost you as much as $30,000 per year, even if you think that it’s fine right now. Not having part of your hearing means you might miss important work or medical information and opportunities, and you could end up injuring yourself physically, as well.
Unemployment and missed opportunities
If you do not hear everything you’re supposed to, it will ultimately effect your work performance. Your inability to hear coworkers could cause a deterioration in relationships and you could lose opportunities for future projects because you couldn’t follow instructions on past projects. You could end up going unnoticed by people at all levels if you become socially secluded at work. You might not be able to reach your max earning potential as these “small” things multiply over time. People who are treating their hearing loss earn, on average, $20,000 more than people with neglected hearing loss as reported by research carried out by the Better Hearing Institute.
Research also suggests that individuals with untreated hearing loss have a higher risk of being unemployed. An untreated severe hearing loss translates into a 15 percent greater chance of being unemployed. Not seeking treatment, consequently, might cost you a lot of money as time goes by.
Falls will cost you even more in medical expenses
You’ll have a higher chance of having a fall if you have neglected hearing loss which can deal you another financial blow. The risk of falling increases by 300% for people who have even mild neglected hearing loss as detailed by one study. Additionally, for every 10 dB increase in hearing impairment, there is a 1.4-fold increase in falls. The researchers conjectured that there might be a connection between the amount of hearing loss and effects on the vestibular system, which deals with balance, or that people with greater impairment just became more caught up in compensating for the loss than paying attention to specific physical dangers. And when you fall it often results in an expensive trip to the doctor.
Increased general health issues
But that isn’t it. If you are unable to hear well, you might miss instructions from your physician. When it comes to your health, you could have negative results if you miss information and that can lead to increased health costs. All of these incidents add up to a significant financial gap. Numerous studies have connected neglected hearing loss to considerably increased medical expenses over time. In one study, it was reported that these individuals will have a 40% higher chance of trips to the emergency room and over a ten year period, will shell out more than $20,000. The University of South Carolina released a study that revealed a 33% increase in healthcare expenses for people with untreated hearing loss over an 18 month period.
Another study from Johns Hopkins University suggested that individuals with untreated moderate to profound hearing loss had a substantially higher chance of death.
So, if you’re interested in protecting yourself both physically and financially, it’s time to have your hearing examined. You may need hearing aids depending on the results of that test. If you do, you’ll probably be fairly surprised. Contemporary hearing aids are extremely clear and comfortable. Take advantage of the available technology to improve your life in all respects.
Call Today to Set Up an Appointment
References
https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2018/patients-with-untreated-hearing-loss-incur-higher-health-care-costs-over-time
https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/newsroom/articles/year-2022/july-hearing-loss-and-falls