Bridging The Tech Gap: Why Affordable Hearing Aids Matter

Millions of people in America are suffering from hearing loss. This issue spans all ages, and virtually no one is immune to it. In some cases, the cause of a person’s hearing loss can be treated and their hearing restored. In many cases, though, people need hearing aids and other assistive devices to address the condition. Research indicates that even though numerous measures are available to mitigate hearing loss, an estimated 80 percent of Americans don’t get the treatments they need. 

Different types of hearing aids are available at this point, and hearing aids prices vary widely. While the least expensive over-the-counter models cost around $100 per pair, highly advanced, truly customized prescription versions can cost up to $10,000. Even those on the lower end of the price spectrum are out of reach for many people who need them. Still, offering affordable hearing aids for everyone is essential for several reasons. 

Social Impacts

For one, hearing loss can have significant impacts on a person’s social life. It can interfere with their existing relationships and make it difficult for them to forge new ones. People who are living with hearing loss often withdraw from the world around them. That increases their risks of suffering from loneliness and isolation, which can also make them more likely to develop depression and anxiety. 

Performance at Work

Living with hearing loss can also cause people’s performance at work to suffer. Though they may be intelligent, highly trained, and perfectly capable of doing their jobs, being unable to hear well can give rise to complications. It causes breakdowns in communication, which may lead to misunderstandings between coworkers, increased stress, reduced productivity, and many other issues. It can also cause safety concerns in some cases. People have even lost their jobs because of undiagnosed and untreated hearing loss. 

Safety Considerations

Our hearing is more essential to our safety than most people realize. Being unable to hear clearly can be dangerous. Hearing loss can prevent people from being aware of approaching vehicles. It may make them unable to hear smoke alarms or alerts from their home security systems. People who live with hearing loss may not be able to hear loved ones’ cries for help or communicate with emergency responders over the phone. Some types of hearing loss can cause balance issues as well, making sufferers more likely to fall and injure themselves. 

Education

Children and teenagers with hearing loss may not be able to live up to their potential in school. If they can’t hear teachers’ instructions, they may not understand their lessons. That makes them more likely to perform poorly on assignments and tests. As mentioned earlier, there’s the social aspect to consider here as well. Those who can’t hear properly may struggle to fit in with their classmates and make friends. For younger children, hearing difficulties can interfere with the development of language and communication skills too. 

Cognitive Decline

Studies have shown that hearing loss can contribute to cognitive decline. The brain relies largely on auditory input for stimulation. Without that input, cognitive functions can deteriorate. When people have to constantly struggle to hear, it places increased stress on the brain as well. That can detract from their memory and learning capabilities. As such, hearing difficulties can increase a person’s likelihood of developing dementia or speed up its progression. 

Ensuring Everyone Can Hear Clearly

Millions of people suffer from hearing loss, and many don’t get the help they need to address it. For quite a few, the cost of hearing aids is the reason they suffer in silence. Hearing loss can have significant impacts on many aspects of everyday life. With that being the case, making hearing aids affordable for everyone is crucial.