When it comes to hearing loss, the numbers tell an interesting story. As an illustration, around the world, over 466 million individuals have some kind of hearing problem. Or that about 10% of the population has tinnitus, a chronic ringing in the ears? But sadly, hearing aids are used by only 16% of people who really need them.
Individuals who need hearing aids might choose not to use them for numerous reasons. They might decide to suffer in silence because they are anxious about a potential stigma associated with aging or are too full of pride to wear a hearing aid.
Price is frequently another concern. It can be somewhat difficult to get assistance paying for hearing aids and they can be rather expensive.
The truth is, however, that hearing aids are the best choice available to most people who have hearing loss, and for people who can’t afford hearing aids, there are other types of assistance available.
Deciding Against Hearing Aids Can be Costly
Unfortunately, the real cost of not using a hearing aid can be even more than the financial impact of buying them. Individuals who have hearing loss commonly confront more challenges making a living and cope with more mental health conditions, including depression, solitude, and anxiety. When these problems are added up, the real cost of not getting hearing aids is considerable, both in the quality of life and in health concerns that appear later. In fact, studies have shown that disregarding hearing loss can increase your healthcare costs by as much as 40%.
And the fact that there are a number of ways to make hearing aids more affordable makes this even more surprising.
Finding Affordable Hearing Aids
If you need hearing aids but can’t afford them, there are several ways you can still get them. People dealing with hearing loss, who can’t afford hearing aids, may be able to get a pair from the Starkey Hearing Aid Foundation, which donates over 100,000 every year. Individuals who have restricted incomes can get financial help or refurbished hearing aids from several groups.
What is My First Move in Getting Affordable Hearing Aids?
Before you make contact with any of the services or institutions listed above, you should first get a hearing examination to find out the type of hearing aid that will work best for you. Once you obtain your results, you’ll be able to look into options for how you will start hearing better again. Whether insurance, Veteran’s associations, or other strategies can help is also something we can help with.
In most cases, with a little effort, you can uncover a solution that will fit your budget.
Just ask us.