When considering hearing loss, the numbers tell an interesting story. For instance, did you realize that nearly 466 million individuals worldwide have at least some hearing issues? Or that nearly 10% of the population has 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.
People who require hearing aids may choose not to use them for several reasons. Often, pride and the perceived stigma of aging causes them to suffer in silence.
Another worry is the cost. It can be fairly challenging to get assistance paying for hearing aids and they can be pretty costly.
Hearing aids are, however, the best available choice for the majority of individuals who have hearing loss, and there are other services and assistance available to those who could not normally afford hearing aids.
Deciding Against Hearing Aids Can Come at a Cost
Regrettably, the real cost of not using a hearing aid can be even worse than the financial consequence of purchasing them. Isolation, 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 real cost of not getting hearing aids is considerable, both in the quality of life and in health concerns that turn up later. As a matter of fact, research has shown that ignoring hearing loss can increase your healthcare costs by up to 40%.
And the fact that there are a number of ways to make hearing aids more affordable makes this even more alarming.
How to Find 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 each year to people that have hearing loss who otherwise could not afford treatments. Other groups and organizations offer financial help and refurbished hearing aids at a discounted price to individuals with restricted incomes.
What’s My First Step in Finding Affordable Hearing Aids?
Getting a hearing test to find out what level and type of hearing loss you have is step one. Your hearing test results will give you a starting point and you can then look at solutions. Whether insurance, Veteran’s associations, or other strategies can help is also something we can help with.
Usually, with a little effort, you can uncover an option that will fit your budget.
Just ask us.