Are hearing aids really worth the cost? It’s a question many people experiencing hearing loss ask when they look at the price of hearing aids. And yet, at the time you buy a house you don’t see the cost and declare, “well being homeless is cheaper!” You have to go past the cost to decide the actual worth of hearing aids.
You should question, when purchasing expensive items, “what is the cost of not getting hearing aids and what will I truly get out of them?” If you require hearing aids it will end up costing you more if you don’t get them. Your eventual decision should also take these costs into account. Take into account some reasons why investing in hearing aids can help save you money in the long run.
Cheaper Hearing Aids Become More Expensive Than You Might Think
If you are shopping the hearing aids market, you will certainly discover less expensive models which seem to be less expensive. You might even purchase a hearing aid off of the web priced even less than a dinner.
You can expect to get what you pay for in quality when you buy over-the-counter hearing devices. When you get these devices, you’re actually getting an amplification device much like earbuds, not an actual hearing aid. They just crank up the sound around you, including background noise.
Individualized programming is the number one function of a good hearing aid, that you won’t get when buying a cheap hearing device. Keeping your hearing aid keyed to correct your particular hearing issue can prevent it from getting worse and give you with amazing hearing quality.
Store bought hearing devices employ low-quality batteries also. What this implies is you can expect to spend money for batteries frequently. You could possibly even need to change the batteries a couple of times daily. When you need them the most, these cheap batteries regularly quite working, so make sure to bring a lot of spare batteries. When you total up the amount of money you spend for the extra batteries, are you really saving anything?
Good quality hearing aids, however, have improved electronics and use less juice. Rechargeable batteries in the better hearing aids means no more buying new batteries.
Issues at Work
Opting to go without hearing aids, or purchasing cheaper ones can be costly at your job. A 2013 study published in The Hearing Journal states that adults with hearing loss make less money – as much as 25 percent less, and are more likely to be without a job.
Why is this? There are a number of factors involved, but the most common sense explanation is that conversation is essential in almost every field. You must be able to listen to what your employer is saying to be able to give good results. You should be capable of listening to clients to assist them. If you spend the entire conversation trying to figure out exactly what words people are saying, you’re much more likely missing the total content. Simply put, if you can’t interact in discussions, it is really difficult to succeed at work.
The effort to hear what people are saying at the workplace will take a toll on you physically, as well. Even when you find a way to make it through a day with inadequate hearing ability, the anxiousness that comes with worrying about if you heard something correctly plus the energy necessary to make out as much as possible will make you fatigued and stressed out. Stress impacts:
- Your immune system
- Your ability to sleep
- Your relationships
- Your quality of life
These all have the potential to effect your work efficiency and reduce your income as a consequence.
More Trips to the ER
There are safety issues which come with hearing loss. Without right hearing aids, it is unsafe for you to cross the street or operate a car. How could you stay clear of another vehicle if you can’t hear it? How about public warning systems like a storm warning or smoke detector?
For quite a few jobs, hearing is a must for work-site safety such as construction sites or manufacturing plants. That means that not wearing hearing aids is not just a safety risk but something that can limit your career possibilities.
Financial protection comes into play here, as well. Did the cashier say that you owe 55 dollars or 85? What did the salesperson tell you about the functions on the dishwasher you are shopping for and do you actually need them? Maybe the lower cost unit is the better choice for you, but it is difficult to know if you can’t hear the sales clerk describe the difference.
The Health of Your Brain
One of the most critical problems that come with hearing loss is the increased danger of dementia. The New England Journal of Medicine states that Alzheimer’s disease costs people more than 56,000 dollars per year. Dementia makes up about 11 billion dollars in Medicare expenditure every year.
Hearing loss is a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and different types of dementia. It has been estimated that someone with severe, neglected hearing loss multiplies their risk of brain deterioration by five fold. A modest hearing loss carries three times the risk of getting dementia, and even a mild hearing issue doubles your likelihood. Hearing aids can bring the danger back to normal.
There is little doubt that a hearing aid is going to cost you a bit. When you look at the many other costs that come with going without one or buying a cheaper device, it’s definitely a good monetary decision. Consult a hearing care professional to learn more about hearing aids.
