When considering hearing loss, the numbers say everything. As an illustration, around the world, over 466 million people have some type of hearing issue. Or that about 10% of the population has tinnitus, a chronic ringing in the ears? But regrettably, hearing aids are used by just 16% of individuals who really need them.
There are several reasons why a person who needs a hearing aid may not use one. Frequently, pride and the perceived stigma of growing older causes them to suffer silently.
Cost is often another worry. It can be somewhat difficult to get assistance paying for hearing aids and they can be rather costly.
Hearing aids are, however, the best available choice for most individuals who have loss of hearing, and for individuals who can’t afford hearing aids, there are other kinds of assistance available.
Deciding Against Hearing Aids Can be Costly
Unfortunately, the true cost of not using a hearing aid can be even more than the financial impact of purchasing them. People who have hearing loss often face more challenges making a living and cope with more mental health conditions, including depression, solitude, and anxiety. When these issues are added up, the real cost of not getting hearing aids is considerable, both in the quality of life and in health issues that appear later. Your healthcare costs can, in fact, increase by as much as 40% by neglecting hearing loss according to research.
And the fact that there are a number of ways to make hearing aids more affordable makes this even more surprising.
How to Find Affordable Hearing Aids
There are a few solutions available for those who need hearing aids but can’t afford them. The Starkey Hearing Foundation donates more than 100,000 hearing aids each year to individuals suffering from hearing loss who otherwise could not afford treatments. Other groups and organizations offer financial help and refurbished hearing aids at a reduced price to individuals with limited incomes.
What is My First Step in Finding Affordable Hearing Aids?
Getting a hearing test to find out what level and kind of hearing loss you have is your first step. Once you get your results, you’ll be able to explore 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.
Whether you are qualified for coverage or not, there are frequently less costly options.
Let us help.