It is a practical financial choice to invest in hearing aids. It’s a matter many people experiencing hearing loss ask when they look at the price of hearing aids. However, while a house is an expensive investment, it’s significantly better than actually being homeless. What’s more, if you look beyond the cost, you may find that hearing aids are an very wise financial investment.
When purchasing a big-ticket item such as this you will have to ask yourself, “what do I get out of wearing hearing aids and what’s the cost of not having them?” As it turns out, there is a financial cost for choosing not to purchase hearing aids. Your ultimate decision should also take these expenses into consideration. Take into consideration some good reasons why getting hearing aids can help save you money over time.
You Will Find Yourself Paying More for Deciding on Cheap Hearing Aids
There certainly are low priced hearing aids available which appear to be more affordable. You might pay more for a dinner than what some budget hearing aids on the web might cost.
The issue with over-the-counter hearing devices is that you get what you pay for in quality. What you are really getting is not really a hearing aid but, an amplification device comparable to earbuds or headphones. The problem with these cheap devices is that they crank the background noises up.
You lose out on the most effective features and functions hearing aids provide, customized programming. A top quality hearing aid can be specially tuned to your hearing needs which will help stop it from getting worse.
There are also bargain batteries which poor quality devices employ for power. Needing to replace worn out batteries frequently will become expensive. When you wear the amplification device every day, you might possibly end up replacing the battery once or twice a day. The battery is most likely to fail when you need it the most, also, so plan on carrying lots of spares around with you wherever you go. Do you really save cash if you need to exchange dead batteries regularly?
Better electronics permits the better quality hearing aids to have a longer life. Many even come with rechargeable batteries, getting rid of the need for regular replacements.
Work Related Issues
Whether you choose to struggle with low-quality hearing aids or go without them entirely, it’s a decision that will certainly cost you at work. 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 numerous factors involved, but the basic explanation is that conversation is critical in almost every field. You have to listen to what your employer says to deliver results. You should be capable of listening to clients to assist them. If you spend the discussion trying to figure out what words people are saying, you’re probably going to miss out on the general message. Quite simply, if you cannot engage in conversations, it is difficult to be on point at work.
The struggle to hear at work exacts a toll on you physically, also. Even if you find a way to get through a day with sub-par hearing, the anxiety associated with wondering if you heard everything correctly plus the energy necessary to hear just enough will leave you exhausted and stressed. Here are some impacts associated with stress:
- Your immune system
- Your ability to sleep
- Your relationships
- Your quality of life
All of these have the possibility to have an impact on your work performance and lower your income as a consequence.
Having to go to the ER more often
There is a safety concern that comes with loss of hearing. Without proper hearing aids, it will become hazardous for you to go across the road or operate a vehicle. How can you avoid something if you can’t hear it? How about environmental warning systems like a tornado alert or smoke alarm?
For many jobs, hearing is a must for job-site safety like building and construction zones or production factories. That means that not using hearing aids is not just a safety hazard but also something that can minimize your career options.
Financial safety is a factor here, as well. Did the waitress say that you owe 25 dollars or 75? What did the salesperson tell you regarding the features of the microwave oven you are looking at and do you need them? Perhaps the lower cost model is the better choice for you, but it’s difficult to tell if you can’t hear the salesperson explain the difference.
The Health of Your Brain
One of the most important concerns that come with hearing loss is the increased risk of dementia. The New England Journal of Medicine states that Alzheimer’s disease costs people above 56,000 dollars per year. Dementia accounts for 11 billion dollars in Medicare expense annually.
Hearing loss is a recognized risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and some other forms of dementia. It has been calculated that somebody with significant, untreated hearing loss increases their possibility of brain deterioration by five times. A modest hearing loss comes with three times the possibility of dementia, and even a mild hearing issue doubles your likelihood. Hearing aids bring the danger back to normal.
There is little doubt that a hearing aid is going to cost you a bit more. When you look at the many other problems associated with going without one or buying a cheaper device, it’s obviously a good monetary investment. Make an appointment with a hearing specialist to learn more.