Regarding hearing loss, the numbers tell an interesting story. As an example, globally, over 466 million individuals experience some kind of hearing issue. Or that almost 10% of the population has tinnitus, a chronic ringing in the ears? Perhaps the most troubling statistic is the fact that only 16% of individuals who require hearing aids have ever used them.
Individuals who need hearing aids might decide not to use them for numerous reasons. Frequently, pride and the perceived stigma of growing older causes them to suffer in silence.
Cost is frequently another worry. It can be relatively challenging to get help paying for hearing aids and they can be pretty costly.
Hearing aids are, however, the best available option for the majority of people who have hearing loss, and there are other services and assistance available to people who couldn’t normally afford hearing aids.
Deciding Against Hearing Aids Can Come at a Cost
Regrettably, the true 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 issues are added up, the real cost of not getting hearing aids is substantial, both in the quality of life and in health issues that turn up later. Your healthcare costs can, in reality, increase by up to 40% by ignoring hearing loss according to research.
And the fact that there are many ways to make hearing aids more affordable makes this even more surprising.
How to Find Affordable Hearing Aids
If you need hearing aids but can’t afford them, there are a few ways you can still get them. The Starkey Hearing Foundation gives over 100,000 hearing aids each year to people dealing with 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 limited incomes.
Finding Affordable Hearing Aids – The First Move
Obtaining a hearing test to figure out what level and kind of hearing loss you have is your first step. Once you obtain your results, you’ll be able to explore options for how you will begin hearing better again. We can also help you ascertain whether insurance, Veteran’s associations, or other affiliations will help with the expenses.
Whether you are qualified for coverage or not, there are often less costly options.
Just ask us.