Regarding hearing loss, the numbers tell an interesting story. As an example, around the world, over 466 million people have some type of hearing problem. Or that nearly 10% of the population suffers from tinnitus, a chronic ringing in the ears? But regrettably, hearing aids are used by just 16% of people who really need them.
Individuals who require hearing aids might choose not to use them for numerous reasons. Frequently, pride and the perceived stigma of aging causes them to suffer in silence.
Another worry is the price. It can be somewhat challenging to get help paying for hearing aids and they can be pretty costly.
The truth is, however, that hearing aids are the best choice available to most individuals who have hearing loss, and for people who can’t afford hearing aids, there are other kinds of assistance available.
The Real Cost of Not Wearing Hearing Aids
Sadly, the impact of not buying a hearing aid when you need one can be even more costly than actually buying one. Solitude, anxiety, and depression are more common in individuals with hearing loss and they also have a higher rate 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 significant. Your healthcare costs can, in reality, increase by up to 40% by ignoring hearing loss according to research.
What makes that statistic even more shocking is that there are numerous ways to make hearing aids affordable.
How to Get 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 more than 100,000 hearing aids each year to people dealing with hearing loss who otherwise could not afford treatments. Other groups and organizations provide financial help and refurbished hearing aids at a reduced price to individuals with limited incomes.
Getting Affordable Hearing Aids – The First Step
Getting a hearing test to figure out what level and kind of hearing loss you have is your first step. Your hearing test results will point you in the right direction and you can then look at solutions. Whether insurance, Veteran’s associations, or other strategies can help is also something we can help with.
Whether you are qualified for coverage or not, there are frequently less expensive options.
Let us help.