When it comes to hearing loss, the numbers tell an interesting story. For instance, did you realize that nearly 466 million individuals worldwide have at least some hearing problems? Or that about 10% of the population struggles with tinnitus, a chronic ringing in the ears? But unfortunately, hearing aids are used by just 16% of people who really need them.
There are numerous reasons why a person who requires a hearing aid may not use one. Often, pride and the perceived stigma of old age causes them to suffer in silence.
Another obstacle is the price. It can be fairly difficult to get help paying for hearing aids and they can be pretty costly.
Hearing aids are, however, the best available choice for the majority of people who have hearing loss, and for individuals who can’t afford hearing aids, there are other types of support available.
Deciding Against Hearing Aids Can Come at a Cost
Sadly, the consequence of not purchasing a hearing aid when you need one can be even more costly than actually buying one. People who have hearing loss commonly confront more difficulties making a living and cope with more mental health conditions, including depression, solitude, and anxiety. When these issues are added up, the true cost of not getting hearing aids is significant, both in the quality of life and in health issues that turn up later. In fact, research has shown that neglecting hearing loss can raise your healthcare costs by up to 40%.
What makes that statistic even more surprising is that there are many 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 gives more than 100,000 hearing aids each year to people dealing with hearing loss who otherwise could not afford treatments. Individuals who have restricted incomes can get financial assistance or refurbished hearing aids from a few different groups.
Finding Affordable Hearing Aids – The First Step
Obtaining a hearing test to find out what level and type of hearing loss you have is step one. Once you obtain your results, you’ll be able to explore options for how you will start hearing better again. We can also help you determine whether insurance, Veteran’s associations, or other affiliations will help with the costs.
Whether you are eligible for coverage or not, there are frequently less expensive options.
Let us help.