When it comes to hearing loss, the numbers tell an interesting story. As an example, globally, over 466 million individuals suffer from some type of hearing issue. Or that nearly 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 need hearing aids have ever used them.
There are numerous reasons why a person who needs a hearing aid may not use one. They might choose to suffer in silence because they are anxious about a possible stigma linked to aging or are too full of pride to use a hearing aid.
Cost is frequently another worry. It can be fairly difficult to get help paying for hearing aids and they can be pretty costly.
Hearing aids are, however, the best available option for most people who have hearing loss, and there are other services and assistance available to people who couldn’t otherwise afford hearing aids.
The Real Cost of Not Using Hearing Aids
Sadly, the impact of not buying a hearing aid when you need one can have a bigger cost than actually buying one. Solitude, anxiety, and depression are more prevalent in people with hearing loss and they also have a higher rate of mental health issues. When these problems are added up, the true cost of not getting hearing aids is considerable, both in the quality of life and in health concerns that turn up later. In fact, research has shown that ignoring hearing loss can increase your healthcare costs by as much as 40%.
What makes that statistic even more surprising is that there are lots of ways to make hearing aids affordable.
Getting Affordable Hearing Aids
There are several solutions available for people who need hearing aids but can’t afford them. The Starkey Hearing Foundation donates more than 100,000 hearing aids each year to people dealing with hearing loss who otherwise could not afford treatments. Individuals who have limited incomes can get financial help or refurbished hearing aids from a few different groups.
What’s My First Move in Finding Affordable Hearing Aids?
Obtaining a hearing test to figure out what level and kind of hearing loss you have is step one. Once you obtain your results, you’ll be able to look into options for how you will start hearing better again. We can also help you ascertain whether insurance, Veteran’s associations, or other organizations will help with the costs.
Usually, with a little effort, you can uncover a solution that will fit your budget.
Let us help.