Regarding hearing loss, the numbers say everything. As an illustration, globally, over 466 million people have some type of hearing problem. Or that almost 10% of the population suffers from tinnitus, a chronic ringing in the ears? Possibly, the most troubling statistic is the fact that only 16% of people who need hearing aids have ever used them.
Individuals who need hearing aids may choose not to use them for several reasons. They may decide to suffer silently because they are concerned about a possible stigma associated with aging or are too full of pride to wear a hearing aid.
Cost is frequently another worry. It can be somewhat challenging to get help paying for hearing aids and they can be pretty expensive.
Hearing aids are, however, the best available choice for most people who have loss of hearing, and for people who can’t afford hearing aids, there are other types of support available.
The True Cost of Not Wearing Hearing Aids
Regrettably, the true cost of not wearing a hearing aid can be even worse than the financial impact of purchasing them. People suffering from hearing loss commonly encounter more challenges earning a living and cope with more mental health disorders, including depression, isolation, and anxiety. When both the potential future health issues, and the quality of life challenges are added up, the cost of not getting hearing aids is significant. In fact, research has shown that disregarding hearing loss can increase your healthcare costs by as much as 40%.
What makes that figure even more surprising is that there are numerous 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. People that have hearing loss, who can’t afford hearing aids, might be able to get a pair from the Starkey Hearing Aid Foundation, which donates more than 100,000 every year. Other groups and organizations provide financial assistance and refurbished hearing aids at a discounted price to individuals with limited incomes.
What’s My First Move in Getting Affordable Hearing Aids?
Before you contact any of the services or institutions listed above, you should first get a hearing exam to identify the type of hearing aid that will work best for you. Once you obtain your results, you’ll be able to look into options for how you will start hearing better again. Whether insurance, Veteran’s associations, or other avenues can help is also something we can help with.
Whether you are eligible for coverage or not, there are often less costly solutions.
Just ask us.