Have you avoided the calls from friends, family, and co-workers to finally invest in a hearing aid? Are you feeling like your hearing loss is not that bad at the moment and getting a hearing aid isn’t worth it?
Even if you feel like you’re doing fine right now, your hearing loss could get a lot worse – and if that happens, it might possibly cost you upwards of $30,000 a year. 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 details.
Unemployment and lost opportunities
If you don’t hear everything you’re supposed to, it will eventually impact your performance at work. Your inability to hear coworkers could cause a breakdown in relationships and you could lose opportunities for future projects because you failed to follow instructions on past projects. You could wind up going unnoticed by people at every level if you become socially isolated at work. These “small” things compound over time and affect your ability to attain your full earning potential. People who treat their hearing loss earn, on average, $20,000 more than people with neglected hearing loss according to a study carried out by the Better Hearing Institute.
Unemployment rates are also increased for people with untreated hearing loss, according to other research. Individuals who don’t address their hearing loss will be 15% more likely to be unemployed. So, as the years pass, neglected hearing loss may end up costing you lot’s of money.
Falls will cost you even more in medical expenses
Untreated hearing loss can deal another financial blow by actually making you more likely to have a fall. The chance of falling is raised by 300% for people with even mild neglected hearing loss as detailed by one study. And, for every 10 dB increase in hearing loss, there is a 1.4-fold increase in falls. The vestibular system handles balance and researchers think there might be a link between the level of hearing loss and how it affects that system. Or, it may also be possible that somebody with untreated hearing loss simply gets lost in their environment because they’re overcompensating with their other senses. And when you fall it frequently leads to an expensive trip to the doctor.
Worse health consequences
But that isn’t it. If you are unable to hear well, you might miss information from your doctor. If you miss information from your doctor, you might end up having worse outcomes in health matters, thus resulting in more costs and more issues. A huge financial gap will be the result. Numerous studies have connected neglected hearing loss to considerably higher medical expenses over time. One study said the average increase was more than $20,000 over a ten year period and that these people were 40% more likely to go to the emergency room. 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 time period.
Moderate to severe neglected hearing loss can result in a substantially increased danger 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 checked. You may need hearing aids depending on the test results. If you do, you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised. Modern hearing aids are incredibly clear and comfortable. Make your overall life better by taking advantage of this amazing technology.
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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