Gilberts Audiology & Hearing Aid Center - Oklahoma

Stack of new $100 bills

Have your friends, family, and co-workers been requesting that you get hearing aids but you’ve been stubbornly avoiding it? Do you think that right now you really don’t need a hearing aid or that you’re not missing enough to warrant buying one?

Even if you think you’re doing ok at the moment, your hearing loss might get a lot worse – and if that happens, it might possibly cost you upwards of $30,000 per year. Not only could you end up hurting yourself by dismissing your hearing loss, you could also cost yourself income and lost opportunities by not hearing important medical or work details.

Missed opportunities and unemployment

If you do not hear everything you’re supposed to, it will eventually effect your performance at work. Your inability to hear coworkers could cause a deterioration in relationships and you could get passed over on opportunities for future projects because you couldn’t follow instructions on previous projects. You could end up going unnoticed by people at every level if you become socially secluded at work. These “small” things compound over time and affect your ability to reach your full earning potential. Research conducted by the Better Hearing Institute discovered that people with untreated hearing loss earned, on average, $20,000 less a year than those who treated their hearing loss.

Unemployment rates are also higher for individuals with untreated hearing loss, according to another study. People who don’t treat their hearing loss will be 15% more likely to be unemployed. Not seeking treatment, consequently, might cost you a lot of money as the years go on.

Additional medical bills from falls

You’ll have a higher chance of having a fall if you have untreated hearing loss which can deal you another financial blow. One study found that even people with mild neglected hearing loss increase their risk of falling by 300%. And, for every 10 dB increase in hearing impairment, there is a 1.4-fold increase in falls. The researchers conjectured that there might be a link between the degree of hearing loss and effects on the vestibular system, which handles balance, or that individuals with greater impairment simply became more wrapped up in compensating for the loss than focusing on specific physical dangers. And when you fall it often leads to a costly trip to the doctor.

Worse health outcomes

But there’s more to it than only that. You could be missing some of the guidance from your doctor if you have untreated hearing loss. If you miss information from your doctor, you may end up having worse outcomes in health matters, thus resulting in more costs and more issues. All of these incidents add up to a significant financial gap. Over time, substantially higher medical costs will result from untreated hearing loss according to several studies. In one study, it was revealed that these individuals will have a 40% increased risk of trips to the emergency room and over a ten year period, will shell out more than $20,000. A more recent study from the University of South Carolina revealed that neglected hearing loss resulted in a 33% increase in healthcare expenses over an 18 month period.

Moderate to profound untreated hearing loss can result in a substantially higher danger of death according to a study published by Johns Hopkins University.

So, if you want to protect yourself both financially and physically, it’s time to get your hearing tested. You may need hearing aids depending on the test results. If you do, you’ll likely be fairly surprised. Hearing aids nowadays are state-of-the-art, very comfortable to use, and sound clear. Make your total life better by taking advantage of this amazing technology.

Call Today to Set Up an Appointment

References

https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2018/patients-with-untreated-hearing-loss-incur-higher-health-care-costs-over-time

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
Why wait? You don't have to live with hearing loss. Call Us Today