Question: I’m retired, is it really necessary to spend a lot of money on hearing aids now that I don’t have to worry about hearing at work?
Answer: This is a question I get all the time, although I wonder, sometimes about the person’s motivation for asking it. I understand the need to make sure money is spent wisely. We all have to do that, particularly once our annual income is fixed at a certain level. And the fact is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get what you need, although it is certainly possible to do so. I have spoken a lot about the pricing and the value in the past and probably will in the future, but today I want to answer this question with another question: What do you plan to, or what are you able to do, in your retirement? What kind of activities are you planning to take part in? What hobbies and pastimes?
There is little doubt in my mind that if you plan to sit at home and watch television, then spending the least amount possible would be my recommendation. There is no point in spending any more than $300 to $500 per ear in order to fulfill that need. Preferably you get something with a wireless connection to the television, that way the volume isn’t at full and the sound isn’t distorted.
If, however, you are more like my parents, my mother in law, or a long time client, Mr. Jay, then you should consider spending a little more.
You may have heard of Mr. Jay, he recently turned 90 and for his 90th birthday gave himself a gift that he had longed to complete for many years. Something that he wasn’t able to do while he served in the Navy, and didn’t think of doing while he was raising his kids, but now had the opportunity to fulfill. Something most 90 year olds would never even consider; he wanted to try parachuting.
And he did, you may have seen him on the CH news, who covered the whole jump. It is interesting to note that Mr. Jay is not only hard of hearing, but also is severely visually impaired. He has several pastimes, including painting, which he does beautifully, in spite of his visual impairment. But he had to learn them after he retired and in order to learn it, he had to hear it, and to ensure he did he was fitted with hearing aids. And getting instructions on how to skydive was another reason he had to ensure his hearing was up to snuff; even during the dive he had to hear the instructions from the person he was tandem with.
My parents also keep busy with a lot of things. Bridge, travel, photography, sculpture and music to name a few, and for all of them my father needs two things; a good set of hearing aids with a remote microphone for lectures and meetings, and a good cane to help him when his RA acts up. My father lets nothing slow him down and is not interested in sitting around watching TV all day every day. They have gone of safaris, cruises and walking trips, all of which should be difficult for someone with RA, but he refuses to give in. He pushes himself and for that reason he has different needs from both his walking aids and his hearing aids.
Sometimes the reason for spending a little more is the activities that you participate in. The more diverse they are, the more you will need the added benefits that can only come from hearing aids that are not at the bottom tier of the pricing schedule. I don’t feel anyone needs to spend a fortune, particularly if they are no longer working and rely on a fixed income, however if you can afford it, and if your lifestyle includes a lot of activity, then take the time to find out what will benefit you and the people around you. The cost will likely be offset by the results you will have from hearing better.