Hearing aids are a worthy investment. People who have hearing loss are regularly concerned with the cost. And yet, at the time you invest in a house you don’t see the price and state, “well being homeless is less expensive!” You must go beyond the price to decide the true worth of hearing aids.
When you are buying a big-ticket item like this you will have to ask yourself, “what do I get out of wearing hearing aids and what’s the cost of not getting them?” The truth is, it will probably end up costing more if you choose not to buy hearing aids. These expenses need to factor into your purchase also. Consider some reasons why purchasing hearing aids can help save you money long term.
Bargain Hearing Aids Cost More Than You Think
If you have ever window shopped for hearing assistance devices, you realize that there are low-priced, apparently less expensive devices out there. In fact, if you looked online, you might get a hearing aid for less money than you spend on a meal.
You can expect to get what you pay for in quality when you purchase over-the-counter hearing devices. What you are actually buying is not a hearing aid but, an amplification device like earbuds or headphones. The issue with these cheap devices is that they turn the background noises up.
You lose out on the most effective functions and features hearing aids offer, custom programming. Having your hearing aid keyed to fix your unique hearing issue can prevent it from becoming more serious and provide you with top- notch hearing quality.
Store bought hearing devices employ cheap batteries as well. Having to replace dead batteries constantly can become expensive. When you use the amplification device daily, you might wind up switching the battery up to a couple of times per day. When it’s most important, these cheap batteries often quite working, so make sure to bring plenty of emergency batteries. Do you actually save cash if you have to replenish worn out batteries every day?
Better electronics permits the higher quality hearing aids to have a life. Many even include rechargeable batteries, getting rid of the need for regular replacements.
Career Concerns
If you actually need hearing aids and you decide not to get them, or if you purchase low-quality ones, it will cost you at work. A 2013 study published in The Hearing Journal reports that adults that have hearing loss usually earn less money – as much as 25 percent less, and are more likely to be without a job.
What accounts for this? There are a number of factors involved, but the basic explanation is that communicating is necessary in virtually every field. You have to hear what your supervisor says to be able to give good results. You must be able to listen to customers to assist them. If you spend the entire discussion trying to hear exactly what words people are saying, you’re likely to miss out on the total content. Simply put, if you can’t engage in verbal interactions, it is not easy to succeed at work.
The battle to hear on the job takes a toll on you physically, also. Even if you do manage to get through a day with sub-par hearing ability, the anxiousness that comes with wondering whether you heard something correctly plus the energy needed to hear as much as possible will leave you exhausted and stressed. Stress impacts:
- Your immune system
- Your ability to sleep
- Your relationships
- Your quality of life
All of these have the potential to have an affect on your work efficiency and reduce your income as a result.
Regular Trips to The ER
There is a safety concern that comes with the loss of hearing. Without appropriate hearing aids, it becomes hazardous for you to go across the street or drive a car or truck. How could you avoid another vehicle if you can’t hear it? How about public safety systems like a storm alert or smoke alarm?
For many jobs, hearing is a must for job-site safety like construction sites or production factories. That means that not wearing hearing aids is not only a safety risk but also something that can minimize your career options.
Financial safety comes into play here, also. Did the cashier say that you owe 25 dollars or 85? What did the salesperson say about the features of the Television you are shopping for and do you need them? Perhaps the less expensive unit would be all you would need, but it’s difficult to tell if you can’t hear the clerk discuss the difference.
The Health of Your Brain
One of the most critical concerns which come with hearing loss is the increased possibility of dementia. The New England Journal of Medicine says that Alzheimer’s disease costs sufferers above 56,000 dollars a year. Dementia makes up about 11 billion dollars in Medicare costs annually.
Hearing loss is a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. It is estimated that somebody with serious, neglected hearing loss multiplies their possibility of brain impairment by five fold. A modest hearing loss carries three times the possibility of getting dementia, and even a slight hearing issue doubles your chances. Hearing aids will bring the risk back to a regular amount.
There is little doubt that a hearing aid will set you back a bit more. When you look at all the troubles that come with going without one or buying a cheaper device, it’s clearly a good financial plan. Make an appointment with a hearing aid specialist to find out more.