Have you avoided the calls from family, friends, and co-workers to finally invest in a hearing aid? Are you feeling that right now you really don’t need a hearing aid or that you’re not losing enough to warrant getting one?
If your hearing continues to worsen, it could cost you as much as $30,000 each year, even if you think that it’s fine for now. Not having a portion of your hearing means you might miss significant work or medical details and opportunities, and you may end up injuring yourself physically, too.
Lost opportunities and unemployment
Your work performance will be effected if you’re not hearing everything you should. Your inability to hear coworkers may be causing a deterioration in relationships and you could get passed over on opportunities for future projects because you failed to follow instructions on past projects. You could end up being overlooked by people at all levels if you become socially isolated at work. These ”little” things add up over time and impact your ability to attain your full earning potential. A study by the Better Hearing Institute found that people with untreated hearing loss earned, on average, $20,000 less a year than those who dealt with their loss of hearing.
Unemployment rates are also higher for people with neglected hearing loss, according to other research. Individuals who don’t address their hearing loss will be 15% more likely to be unemployed. Not seeking treatment, consequently, might cost you lot’s of money as the years go on.
Falls will cost you even more in medical bills
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 slight untreated hearing loss as detailed by one study. In addition, there is a 1.4-fold increase in falls for every additional 10 dB of hearing loss. The researchers conjectured that there might be a connection between the amount of hearing loss and effects on the vestibular system, which controls balance, or that individuals with greater impairment simply became more caught up in compensating for the loss than paying attention to particular physical hazards. And when you have a fall it often results in an expensive trip to the doctor.
Worse health outcomes
But that isn’t it. If you can’t hear well, you could miss instructions from your doctor. If you miss information from your doctor, you could end up having worse outcomes in health matters, thus leading to more bills and more problems. A major financial gap will be the result. Several studies have connected untreated hearing loss to considerably higher medical costs over time. 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. The University of South Carolina released a study that indicated a 33% increase in healthcare expenses for individuals with untreated hearing loss over an 18 month period.
Moderate to profound untreated hearing loss can lead to a substantially higher danger of death according to a study published by Johns Hopkins University.
So, if you’re interested in protecting yourself both physically and financially, it’s time to get your hearing tested. Depending on the results of that test, you may have to get hearing aids. If you do, you’ll probably be fairly 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