Have you resisted the calls from family, friends, 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 purchasing a hearing aid isn’t worth it?
If your hearing keeps getting worse, it could cost you up to $30,000 per year, even if you think that it’s fine right now. Not having part of your hearing means you might miss important work or medical details and opportunities, and you may end up hurting yourself physically, too.
Unemployment and missed opportunities
Your job performance will be impacted if you’re not hearing everything you should. You could lose out on future projects because you didn’t hear instructions on previous work, or your relationship with co-workers may have deteriorated because you couldn’t hear them. If you become socially isolated at work, you could end up overlooked by people at every level of the company. These ”little” things compound over time and affect your ability to reach your full earning potential. People who treat their hearing loss earn, on average, $20,000 more than individuals with neglected hearing loss as reported by research carried out by the Better Hearing Institute.
Unemployment rates are also higher for individuals with untreated hearing loss, according to other research. People who don’t treat their hearing loss will be 15% more likely to be unemployed. Not getting treatment, consequently, might cost you lot’s of money as the years go on.
Falls will cost you even more in medical expenses
You’ll have a higher likelihood of falling if you’re dealing with neglected hearing loss which can deal you another financial blow. The risk of falling increases by 300% for people who have even mild neglected hearing loss as reported by one study. In addition, there is a 1.4-fold increase in falls for every added 10 dB of hearing loss. The researchers conjectured that there might be a link between the level of hearing loss and effects on the vestibular system, which controls balance, or that people who have more profound impairment simply became more caught up in compensating for the loss than focusing on specific physical hazards. And when you have a fall it often results in a costly trip to the doctor.
Increased general health issues
But there’s more to it than just that. If you are unable to hear well, you could miss instructions from your doctor. When it comes to your health, you could have negative outcomes if you miss information and that can produce increased health costs. All of these occurrences add up to a major financial gap. Over time, considerably higher medical costs will result from neglected hearing loss according to several studies. One study noted 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. More recent research from the University of South Carolina indicated that neglected hearing loss led to a 33% increase in healthcare expenses over an 18 month period.
Moderate to profound untreated hearing loss can result in a significantly higher risk of death according to a study circulated by Johns Hopkins University.
So it’s time for a hearing exam if you want to protect yourself financially and physically. Depending on the results of that test, you may have to get hearing aids. If you do, you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised. Modern hearing aids are extremely clear and comfortable. Take advantage of the available technology to improve your life in all aspects.
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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