The Global Cost of Hearing is a Surprising Number

The Global Cost of Hearing is a Surprising Number

Has the cost of hearing aids been holding you back? You may feel that hearing aids are a big investment, but what you don’t see is how much hearing loss costs. Investing in your hearing health is the best way to maintain or improve your overall health, as well as avoid the high cost of hearing loss.

 

What is the Global Cost of Hearing Loss?

Have you ever wondered about the global cost of hearing loss? The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that roughly 430 million people – or 5% of the global population – have disabling hearing loss that makes it very hard to work or maintain a social life.  

 

With this number in mind, researchers estimate that the global cost of hearing loss is nearly $1 trillion. They considered:

  • The high costs of overall poor health in people with untreated hearing loss.
  • Lower education for children with untreated hearing loss.
  • Exclusion from the workforce due to hearing loss or lower education.
  • Loss of quality of life.
  • The cost of treating hearing loss with hearing aids or cochlear implants.

 

The global cost of hearing loss is especially high in lower-income countries. The study found that 57% of the global cost of hearing loss was from low-to-moderate income countries, and 23% of the total costs were from countries in East Asia.

 

How to Lower the Cost of Hearing Loss

The rates of hearing loss are on the rise. The WHO estimates that in the next 30 years, millions more people around the world will have hearing loss. They think that by the year 2050, up to 2.5 billion people could have hearing loss!

 

Protecting Hearing

One way to lower the cost of hearing loss is to increase awareness about hearing loss and promote hearing protection. Children, teenagers, and younger adults have a high risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening. They often spend several hours every day listening to dangerously loud music or audio using earbuds. This can lead to permanent hearing loss.

 

Adults who work in noisy settings also risk high rates of hearing loss. Increasing education about hearing loss and improving access to hearing protection can prevent hearing loss.

 

Treating Hearing Loss

Treating hearing loss can make a huge impact on the global cost of hearing loss! Investing in hearing aids is an upfront investment, but it has major returns. Treating hearing loss can help you maintain your physical and cognitive health, lowering your overall cost for healthcare.

 

Treating hearing loss also prevents loss of employment due to difficulty hearing. When you’re able to hear clearly, you can continue doing your best work and provide value to your team.

 

The High Cost of Untreated Hearing Loss

The study found that globally, about 83% of hearing loss is untreated. Meanwhile, in the US less than 30% of older adults with hearing loss have hearing aids. And in younger adults, only 16% of adults who need hearing aids have ever used hearing aids!

 

Untreated hearing loss incurs some high costs, and it’s not just financial. If you have untreated hearing loss, you’ve probably started to see the signs of hearing loss. You may use a lot of energy straining to hear, and feel extremely exhausted by the end of the day. You may have a hard time following conversations, feel embarrassed to ask your friends to repeat themselves and start to stay home alone. People with hearing loss have a lower quality of life, more social isolation, and worse mental and physical health.

 

Treat Your Hearing Loss Today

With such high global and personal costs, we recommend that you treat your hearing loss as soon as possible. Visit us for a hearing test and find out more about your hearing needs. Hearing aids can help you stay active and stay social. They can also help you maintain high standards at work, enjoy time with family and friends, and reduce physical and cognitive decline.

 

It’s time to invest in your hearing health, so come see us today. We have hearing aids with programs and settings to help you hear in every situation. If you have hearing loss, we’ll help you find the perfect hearing devices that match your hearing loss, your lifestyle, and your budget.