Have you resisted the calls from friends, family, and co-workers to finally invest in a hearing aid? Are you feeling like your hearing loss is not that bad at the moment and purchasing a hearing aid isn’t worth it?
If your hearing keeps getting worse, 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 could miss significant work or medical information and opportunities, and you may end up injuring yourself physically, as well.
Missed opportunities and unemployment
Your work performance will be impacted if you aren’t hearing everything you should. Your inability to hear coworkers may be causing a deterioration in relationships and you could lose opportunities for future projects because you couldn’t follow instructions on previous projects. You could end up going unnoticed by people at all levels if you become socially secluded at work. These ”little” things add up over time and affect your ability to attain your highest earning potential. Research conducted by the Better Hearing Institute found that people with neglected hearing loss earned, on average, $20,000 less a year than people who dealt with their loss of hearing.
Unemployment rates are also increased for individuals with untreated hearing loss, according to another study. A neglected profound hearing loss translates into a 15 percent higher risk of being unemployed. Not getting treatment, therefore, could cost you lot’s of money as time goes by.
Falls will cost you even more in medical bills
You’ll have a higher chance of falling if you have untreated hearing loss which can deal you another financial setback. One study discovered that even people with slight neglected hearing loss raise their risk of falling by 300 percent. 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 connection between the degree of hearing loss and effects on the vestibular system, which handles balance, or that people who have more profound impairment simply became more caught up in compensating for the loss than focusing on specific physical hazards. And when you fall it often results in a costly trip to the doctor.
Worse health outcomes
But that’s not all. You may be missing some of the advice from your doctor if you have untreated hearing loss. When it involves your health, you could have worse results if you miss information and that can result in increased health costs. All of these incidents add up to a major financial gap. Several studies have connected neglected hearing loss to substantially increased medical expenses over time. In one study, it was revealed that these people will have a 40% increased risk of visits to the emergency room and over a ten year period, will pay out more than $20,000. More recent research from the University of South Carolina indicated that neglected hearing loss resulted in a 33% increase in healthcare expenses over an 18 month period.
Moderate to severe untreated hearing loss can result in a significantly increased danger of death according to a study circulated by Johns Hopkins University.
So, if you’re interested in protecting yourself both physically and financially, 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 pleasantly surprised. Modern hearing aids are extremely clear and comfortable. Take advantage of the available technology to make your life better in all aspects.
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References
https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2018/patients-with-untreated-hearing-loss-incur-higher-health-care-costs-over-time