Have your friends, family, and co-workers been requesting that you get hearing aids but you’ve been stubbornly avoiding it? Are you thinking that your hearing loss is not that severe at the moment and purchasing a hearing aid isn’t worth it?
If your hearing keeps getting worse, it could cost you up to $30,000 per year, even if you think that it’s fine right now. Going without a portion of your hearing means you could miss significant work or medical details and opportunities, and you may end up injuring yourself physically, too.
Lost opportunities and unemployment
If you don’t hear everything you’re supposed to, it will ultimately impact your work performance. You could get passed up for future projects because you didn’t follow instructions on past work, or your interaction with co-workers may have deteriorated due to your being unable to hear them. You could wind up being overlooked by people at every level if you become socially secluded at work. You may not be able to reach your max earning potential as these “small” things multiply over time. People who treat their hearing loss earn, on average, $20,000 more than people with neglected hearing loss according to a study done by the Better Hearing Institute.
Research also indicates that individuals with neglected hearing loss have a higher chance of being unemployed. People who don’t address their hearing loss will be 15% more likely to be unemployed. Not getting treatment, therefore, could cost you lot’s of money as time goes by.
Falls will cost you even more in medical expenses
You’ll have a higher likelihood of having a fall if you’re dealing with neglected hearing loss which can deal you another financial blow. One study found that even people with mild untreated hearing loss raise their chance of falling by 300%. Additionally, for every 10 dB increase in hearing impairment, there is a 1.4-fold increase in falls. The vestibular system handles balance and researchers think there may be a link between the degree of hearing loss and how it impacts that system. Or, it might also be plausible that somebody with neglected hearing loss just gets lost in their environment because they’re overcompensating with their other senses. And of course, those falls result in more medical bills, and thus more money out of your pocket.
Increased general health problems
But that’s not all. You might be missing some of the advice from your doctor if you have neglected hearing loss. If you miss information from your doctor, you could end up having worse outcomes in health matters, thus leading to more costs and more problems. All of these incidents add up to a major financial gap. Over time, significantly increased medical costs will result from untreated hearing loss according to numerous studies. In one study, it was reported that these people will have a 40% increased risk of visits to the emergency room and over a ten year period, will pay out over $20,000. The University of South Carolina released a study that revealed a 33% increase in healthcare costs for individuals with neglected hearing loss over an 18 month period.
Moderate to profound untreated hearing loss can result in a substantially increased risk of death according to a study circulated by Johns Hopkins University.
So, if you’re interested in protecting yourself both financially and physically, it’s time to get your hearing evaluated. You might need hearing aids depending on the results of that test. If you do, you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised. Modern hearing aids are extremely clear and comfortable. Take advantage of the available technology to improve your life in all respects.
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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