In This Article
Hearing loss is one of the most frustrating parts of getting old; unfortunately, it’s a common part of the aging process. The National Institute on Aging reports “that one in three adults aged 65-74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of those aged 75+ have difficulty with hearing. Studies have shown that older adults with hearing loss have a greater risk of developing dementia than older adults with normal hearing. Cognitive abilities (including memory and concentration) decline faster in older adults with hearing loss than in older adults with normal hearing”.
Of course, modern technological products like hearing aids can help counteract hearing loss. The only trouble is, thousands of seniors refuse to wear them. So why do seniors not want to use their hearing aids despite the many associated benefits? Read on to find out why.
Why do some seniors refuse to use hearing aids
Although hearing aids can help counteract your hearing loss and give you the ability to hear things with impressive clarity, many seniors refuse to wear them. Why? Apparently, for several reasons, including the most common complaint, that hearing aids take too much getting used to.
Many seniors complain that hearing aids are too complicated to use and most that cite similar complaints are highly resistant to change. In short, they are the same kind of folks that refused to learn how to use a computer, smartphone, etc.
The number one reason seniors use when refusing to wear hearing aids is that they are too complicated to use, followed by that the devices make them feel old.
If there is one thing that a senior does not want, is to feel old. After all, you already know your age, and you tell anyone who asks that you’re five years younger than that, right? Well, maybe not all of you but wearing hearing aids can make seniors feel older.
Age is a sensitive topic as we age and we all like to think of ourselves as if we were still in our prime. Remember being 15 years old when the whole world seemed wide open to you? How about when you were 25 and every day felt like summer? Since you’ve turned 65, you’re probably yearning for anything that makes you feel younger.
What you should know about hearing aids
There are some things that everyone should know about hearing aids, like the fact that they don’t just amplify sound; they detect and receive sounds from frequencies that you can no longer hear on your own. Now that you know how they work, you probably would like to learn more. As with any product or device, some hearing aids are better than others.
When to get hearing aids
How can you tell when it’s time to get hearing aids? There are many signs to watch out for, but the most significant sign is that you can no longer hear people in conversation even when they are talking very loudly.
When someone is speaking, whether it’s loudly or softly, you should be able to hear them. Once you lose that ability, you need to think about getting a pair of high-quality hearing aids. A hearing aid specialist will show you how to use your hearing aid and which is best for you.
Signs of Hearing Loss
Some people have a hearing problem and don’t realize it. Here are some signs to be aware of:
- Do you have trouble hearing when on the telephone?
- Are you finding it hard to follow conversations when two or more people are talking?
- Are you asking people to repeat what they are saying often?
- Need to turn up the TV volume so loud that others complain
- Are you having a problem hearing because of background noise?
- Think that others seem to mumble when speaking?
If the answer is yes to any of the above, visit your doctor or an audiologist.
Why you should wear hearing aids
Why is it so important to wear hearing aids anyway? Hearing aids can help you more than you might think. Once you lose your ability to hear, you might be tempted to play it off in conversation and do your best to give people the impression that you can hear them. That would be a big mistake. Once you lose your hearing, you can experience cognitive decline that can eventually result in dementia.
People with hearing loss that refuse to wear hearing aids are subjected to higher healthcare costs and have a higher chance of having a serious accident. Imagine walking across a busy street and getting hit by a car because you couldn’t hear the vehicle coming? Despite how much you might hate the idea of wearing them, if you have experienced moderate to severe hearing loss, you should speak to a specialist about hearing aids.
A hearing aid will not restore your normal hearing. With practice, however, a hearing aid will increase your awareness of sounds and their sources. You will want to wear your hearing aid regularly, so select one that is convenient and easy for you to use.
How to pay for hearing aids
Another reason why many seniors refuse to get hearing aids is the expense. The cost could be a more prevalent reason than the sense of feeling older by wearing hearing aids. The best hearing aids can be costly.
Unfortunately, traditional Medicare does not cover routine audiology testing. It may cover this type of testing when it is ordered by a medical professional “for the purpose of informing the physician’s diagnostic medical evaluation or determining the appropriate medical or surgical treatment of a hearing deficit or related medical problem.” (betterhealthwhileaging.net). Some Medicare Advantage plans may cover audiology.
So do you really need the best hearing aids? What’s wrong with just settling for a cheap pair of hearing aids that won’t cost you a small fortune? As it turns out, you get what you pay for, which means inexpensive hearing aids offer poor sound quality while more expensive hearing aids offer superior quality.
If you’re already resistant to the idea of wearing hearing aids but know you need them, you shouldn’t settle for cheap hearing aids that barely work. So how do you pay for high-end hearing aids on a retiree’s budget and a fixed income? Easy! A great option – you can sell your life insurance policy
Connect with MRE Finance
Most life insurance policies can be sold significantly more than the cash value in the policy. That’s more than enough money to buy the best hearing aids on the market! There’s no better way to sell a life insurance policy than to work with MRE Finance. We are a popular choice among seniors looking for an experienced partner to help them sell their life policies. We make it easy by guiding you through the process every step of the way.
Want to know what your policy could be worth? Try our Free Life Settlement Calculator to get an estimated value of your policy in minutes. MRE Finance is here to help.
Give us a call today at 1-800-521-0770 and ask about the life settlement process!
