Have you avoided the calls from friends, family, and co-workers to finally invest in a hearing aid? Do you think that right now you really don’t need a hearing aid or that you’re not missing enough to justify getting one?
Even if you think you’re doing ok right now, your hearing loss might catch up with you – and if it does, it might possibly cost you more than $30,000 a year. Not only could you end up hurting yourself by neglecting your hearing loss, you could also cost yourself income and lost opportunities by not hearing important medical or work information.
Unemployment and missed opportunities
If you do not hear everything you need to, it will eventually effect your work performance. You could lose out on future projects because you didn’t follow instructions on previous work, or your relationship with co-workers may have deteriorated because you couldn’t hear them. You could wind up going unnoticed by people at every level if you become socially secluded at work. These “small” things add up over time and affect your ability to attain your highest earning potential. People who are treating their hearing loss earn, on average, $20,000 more than people 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. Individuals who don’t treat their hearing loss will be 15% more likely to be unemployed. Not getting treatment, consequently, could cost you lot’s of money as time goes by.
Falls will cost you even more in medical expenses
Neglected hearing loss can cause another financial hit by actually making you more likely to have a fall. One study discovered that even people with mild neglected hearing loss raise their danger of falling by 300%. In addition, there is a 1.4-fold increase in falls for every added 10 dB of hearing loss. The researchers speculated that there could be a link between the amount of hearing loss and effects on the vestibular system, which controls balance, or that people with greater impairment simply became more caught up in compensating for the loss than focusing on specific physical hazards. And obviously, those falls lead to more medical bills, and consequently more money out of your pocket.
Worse health outcomes
But there’s more to it than just that. You might be missing some of the advice from your doctor if you have untreated hearing loss. When it comes to your health, you could have worse results if you miss details and that can produce increased health costs. A major financial gap will be the result. Over time, considerably higher medical costs will result from neglected hearing loss according to numerous studies. In one study, it was reported that these people will have a 40% increased risk of visits to the emergency room and over a ten year period, will shell out over $20,000. A more recent study from the University of South Carolina revealed that untreated hearing loss resulted in a 33% increase in healthcare expenses over an 18 month period.
Another study conducted by Johns Hopkins University suggested that individuals with neglected moderate to profound hearing loss had a substantially higher risk of death.
So, if you’re interested in protecting yourself both financially and physically, it’s time to get your hearing checked. You might need hearing aids depending on the results of that test. You will probably get a pleasant surprise if you do. Modern hearing aids are extremely clear and comfortable. Make your total life better by taking advantage of this amazing technology.
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