Regarding hearing loss, the numbers say everything. As an example, globally, over 466 million people experience some kind of hearing problem. Or that about 10% of the population has tinnitus, a chronic ringing in the ears? But regrettably, hearing aids are used by just 16% of individuals who really need them.
Individuals who require hearing aids might choose not to use them for numerous reasons. They might choose to suffer in silence because they are concerned about a potential stigma linked to aging or are too full of pride to use a hearing aid.
Another worry is the cost. It can be somewhat difficult to get help paying for hearing aids and they can be pretty costly.
The fact remains, however, that hearing aids are the best option available to most people who suffer from hearing loss, and for individuals who can’t afford hearing aids, there are other kinds of support available.
The Real Cost of Not Using Hearing Aids
Sadly, the impact of not buying a hearing aid when you need one can have a bigger cost than actually buying one. Individuals who have hearing loss often face more challenges making a living and cope with more mental health disorders, such as depression, isolation, and anxiety. When both the potential future health issues, and the quality of life challenges are added up, the cost of not getting hearing aids is significant. Your healthcare costs can, in fact, increase by as much as 40% by ignoring hearing loss according to research.
What makes that statistic even more surprising is that there are lots of ways to make hearing aids affordable.
How to Get Affordable Hearing Aids
If you need hearing aids but can’t afford them, there are a few ways you can still get them. The Starkey Hearing Foundation donates over 100,000 hearing aids every year to people dealing with hearing loss who otherwise could not afford treatments. Other groups and organizations offer financial assistance and refurbished hearing aids at a discounted price to individuals with limited incomes.
What is My First Step in Finding Affordable Hearing Aids?
Before you make contact with any of the services or institutions listed above, you should first get a hearing test to find out the kind of hearing aid that will work best for you. Once you obtain your results, you’ll be able to explore options for how you will begin hearing better again. We can also help you determine whether insurance, Veteran’s associations, or other affiliations will help with the expenses.
Whether you are eligible for coverage or not, there are often less expensive options.
Just ask us.