It is hard to account for missed words in a conversation or the details of a discussion. You can’t put a price on little whispers or the voice of a loved one. However, the Better Hearing Institute (BHI), the Audiology industry’s hearing health force that provides research and education to the public, recently conducted an in-depth survey of 44,000 households to demonstrate that hearing loss, left untreated, has a significant impact on earnings – about a $100 billion a year.
BHI found that as much as $23,000 per person, per year on average, is lost depending on the severity of the hearing loss. The study stated that “the average amount of income lost by working people who don’t get hearing aids ranges from $1,000 a year – for those with mild hearing loss – to $12,000 a year for those with profound hearing loss.” BHI also found that those who wear hearing aids reduce that average loss by 50 percent.
Most people with hearing loss are still in the workforce. In fact, two out of three people with hearing difficulties are below retirement age. The study stated further, “Getting a hearing aid at a younger age may also help reduce the chance of losing income. Many think of hearing loss as something that happens mainly to older people. However, most people with this problem are in the prime of their life, including one out of six baby boomers (ages 41-59) and one out of 14 Gen-Xers (ages 29-40).”
The question lingers, why do only one out of four Americans with hearing difficulties look into their treatment options? With the changes in our economy, many baby boomers and seniors are finding the need to stay in the work force longer than they originally planned. These individuals would benefit greatly from the recent advancements in hearing aid technology. Dr. Barak advises, “if you should have any questions regarding your hearing, the first step is to have your hearing evaluated by an audiologist, and with some of the new technologies available, you might even be able to have a demonstration at your first visit.”
Other research has also shown that hearing difficulties disrupt family life, hamper emotional intimacy, and increase the chance of psychological problems. We encourage you to learn more about hearing by visiting the BHI website, www.betterhearing.org or locally at www.heargeorgia.com
