Have you resisted the calls from family, friends, and co-workers to finally invest in a hearing aid? Are you thinking that your hearing loss isn’t that bad at the moment and getting a hearing aid isn’t worth it?
If your hearing continues to worsen, it could cost you as much as $30,000 per year, even if you assume that it’s fine for now. Going without a portion of your hearing means you might miss important work or medical details and opportunities, and you could end up injuring yourself physically, too.
Lost opportunities and unemployment
Your job performance will be effected if you aren’t hearing everything you should. Your inability to hear coworkers could cause a breakdown in relationships and you could get passed over on opportunities for future projects because you couldn’t follow instructions on previous projects. You could wind up being overlooked by people at all levels if you become socially secluded at work. These ”little” things add up over time and impact your ability to attain 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.
Research also suggests that individuals with neglected hearing loss have a higher risk of being unemployed. A neglected severe hearing loss translates into a 15 percent greater chance of being unemployed. Not getting treatment, therefore, could cost you lot’s of money as the years go on.
Falls will cost you even more in medical bills
You’ll have a higher likelihood of having a fall if you have untreated hearing loss which can deal you another financial setback. The chance of falling is raised by 300% for people with even slight neglected hearing loss as reported by one study. 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 connection between the level 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 paying attention to specific physical dangers. And when you have a fall it frequently results in an expensive trip to the doctor.
Worse health outcomes
But there’s more to it than just that. You may be missing some of the guidance from your doctor if you have neglected hearing loss. When it comes to your health, you could have negative outcomes if you miss details and that can lead to increased health costs. A huge financial gap will be the consequence. Multiple studies have linked untreated hearing loss to significantly higher medical expenses over time. In one study, it was revealed that these individuals will have a 40% higher risk of trips to the emergency room and over a ten year period, will pay out over $20,000. The University of South Carolina released a study that revealed a 33% increase in healthcare costs for individuals with neglected hearing loss over an 18 month time period.
Moderate to severe untreated hearing loss can result in a significantly increased danger of death according to a study published by Johns Hopkins University.
So it’s time for a hearing assessment if you want to protect yourself physically and financially. Depending on the test results, you may need to invest in hearing aids. You will most likely get a pleasant surprise if you do. Contemporary hearing aids are incredibly clear and comfortable. Make your overall life better by taking advantage of this fantastic 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