$20,000 – or More – a Year? Just for Wearing a Hearing Aid?

Stack of new $100 bills

Have your friends, family, and co-workers been asking you to invest in hearing aids but you’ve been stubbornly avoiding it? Are you feeling that presently you really don’t need a hearing aid or that you’re not losing enough to warrant buying 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 only could you end up injuring yourself by dismissing your hearing loss, you could also cost yourself income and lost opportunities by missing important medical or work information.

Missed opportunities and unemployment

If you do not hear everything you need to, it will eventually effect your work performance. Your inability to hear coworkers may be causing a deterioration in relationships and you could get passed over on opportunities for upcoming projects because you failed to follow instructions on previous projects. You could wind up going unnoticed by people at all levels if you become socially isolated at work. These “small” things compound over time and impact your ability to reach your highest earning potential. People who treat their hearing loss earn, on average, $20,000 more than individuals with neglected hearing loss according to research carried out by the Better Hearing Institute.

Research also indicates that people with untreated hearing loss have an increased chance of being unemployed. Individuals who don’t address their hearing loss will be 15% more likely to be unemployed. Not getting treatment, therefore, could cost you a lot of money as the years go on.

Additional medical bills from falls

Untreated hearing loss can cause another financial hit by actually making you more likely to have a fall. One study revealed that even those with slight neglected hearing loss increase their danger of falling by 300%. In addition, there is a 1.4-fold increase in falls for every added 10 dB of hearing loss. The researchers conjectured that there might be a connection between the degree of hearing loss and effects on the vestibular system, which controls balance, or that people who have greater impairment just became more caught up in compensating for the loss than focusing on specific physical dangers. And when you fall it often leads to a costly trip to the doctor.

Worse health outcomes

But there’s more to it than only that. If you are unable to hear well, you could miss information from your doctor. When it involves your health, you could have negative outcomes if you miss details and that can lead to increased health costs. All of these occurrences add up to a huge financial gap. Several studies have connected untreated hearing loss to substantially increased medical expenses over time. One study said the average increase was more than $20,000 over a ten year period and that these individuals were 40% more likely to go to the emergency room. A more recent study from the University of South Carolina revealed that neglected hearing loss resulted in a 33% increase in healthcare expenses over an 18 month time period.

Moderate to profound neglected hearing loss can lead to a substantially higher 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 have your hearing checked. You might need hearing aids depending on the test results. If you do, you’ll likely be fairly surprised. Contemporary hearing aids are incredibly clear and comfortable. Take advantage of the available technology to make your life better in all aspects.

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

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.