When considering hearing loss, the numbers tell an interesting story. As an illustration, around the world, over 466 million people experience some type of hearing issue. Or that about 10% of the population has tinnitus, a chronic ringing in the ears? But sadly, hearing aids are used by only 16% of people who actually need them.
There are numerous reasons why a person who requires a hearing aid may not use one. Frequently, pride and the perceived stigma of old age causes them to suffer silently.
Cost is frequently another worry. It can be fairly challenging to get help paying for hearing aids and they can be rather costly.
Hearing aids are, however, the best available option for the majority of individuals who have hearing loss, and there are other services and assistance available to people who could not normally afford hearing aids.
The Real Cost of Not Using Hearing Aids
Sadly, the impact of not purchasing a hearing aid when you need one can be even more costly than actually buying one. Isolation, anxiety, and depression are more prevalent in individuals with hearing loss and they also have a higher instance of mental health problems. When both the potential future health problems, and the quality of life challenges are added up, the cost of not getting hearing aids is substantial. As a matter of fact, research has shown that ignoring hearing loss can raise 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 surprising.
How to Get Affordable Hearing Aids
If you need hearing aids but can’t afford them, there are a number of ways you can still get them. People dealing with 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 each year. People who have limited incomes can get financial help or refurbished hearing aids from several groups.
What is My First Step in Finding Affordable Hearing Aids?
Before you get hold of any of the services or organizations listed above, you should first get a hearing test to find out the kind of hearing aid that will work best for you. Once you get your results, you’ll be able to look into options for how you will begin hearing better again. Whether insurance, Veteran’s associations, or other strategies can help is also something we can help with.
Usually, with a little effort, you can find an option that will fit your budget.
Let us help.
