Have you resisted the calls from friends, family, and co-workers to finally invest in a hearing aid? Are you feeling that presently you really don’t need a hearing aid or that you’re not missing enough to warrant getting one?
Even if you think you’re doing ok right now, your hearing loss might catch up with you – and if that happens, it could potentially cost you upwards of $30,000 a year. Not having a portion of your hearing means you may miss important work or medical details and opportunities, and you may end up hurting yourself physically, as well.
Lost opportunities and unemployment
If you can’t hear everything you’re supposed to, it will eventually impact your work performance. Your inability to hear coworkers could cause a breakdown in relationships and you could lose opportunities for future projects because you couldn’t follow instructions on previous projects. You could wind up being overlooked 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 highest earning potential. People who treat their hearing loss earn, on average, $20,000 more than individuals with neglected hearing loss as reported by research done by the Better Hearing Institute.
Unemployment rates are also higher for individuals with neglected hearing loss, according to other research. Individuals who don’t address their hearing loss will be 15% more likely to be unemployed. So, as time passes, neglected hearing loss may end up costing you lot’s of money.
Extra medical bills from falls
Neglected hearing loss can cause another financial hit by actually making you more likely to fall. One study revealed that even people with mild untreated 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 conjectured that there might be a link between the degree of hearing loss and effects on the vestibular system, which deals with balance, or that people with more profound impairment simply became more wrapped up in compensating for the loss than focusing on specific physical dangers. And of course, those falls result in more medical expenses, and thus more cash out of your pocket.
Increased general health problems
But there’s more to it than only that. You could 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 lead to increased health costs. A major financial gap will be the consequence. Multiple studies have connected neglected hearing loss to significantly increased medical costs over time. One study said 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 published a study that indicated a 33% increase in healthcare expenses for individuals with neglected hearing loss over an 18 month period.
Moderate to profound neglected hearing loss can result in a substantially higher risk of death according to a study published by Johns Hopkins University.
So it’s time for a hearing examination if you want to protect yourself financially and physically. Depending on the results of that test, you might need to get hearing aids. You will most likely get a pleasant surprise if you do. Hearing aids these days are state-of-the-art, very comfortable to wear, and sound clear. 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