Gadgets keep getting smaller and smaller. And yet they can do more now than ever before.
It’s pretty amazing when you think about it.
But one of the greatest devices of all isn’t a hot new phone. It’s not a tablet with the latest software. Heck, it doesn’t even have a screen.
In fact, this little gadget has been around for ages. But it keeps getting smaller, better, cheaper, and most importantly more effective.
And it can do something for your health that’s practically a miracle. It can help protect you from three of the conditions many seniors fear most…
- dementia
- depression
- falling
Quite a powerful gadget, right?
Well, believe it or not, I’m talking about a simple hearing aid. And should you need one, you can pick it up as soon as TODAY at dozens of local retailers, including Walmart and Costco.
Proper hearing protects your brain AND bones
Your brain isn’t a muscle. But in many ways, it acts like one. And just like your muscles, it needs stimulation for peak function.
When your brain doesn’t get that activity, it starts to get weaker. And that can lead to a litany of health complaints.
When fading hearing goes unaddressed, you can lose memory, and your overall cognition can suffer. You may begin to battle balance problems putting your bones at risk from dangerous falls. And you could even find yourself wrestling with a mood disorder.
One vital way your brain gets a regular workout is through your ears. You see, it’s continuously put to work processing sounds ranging from people talking to the noise of a car alarm.
But when you lose hearing, all that the stimulation suddenly ends. Your brain feels the impact, and you start to suffer as function declines.
But there’s a way to get that hearing… and function…back. And that’s a hearing aid.
The sound is restored, your brain goes to work, and all of those risks plunge. This is why I’m not at all surprised by a new study that finds wearing a hearing aid could cut your risk of…
- dementia by 18 percent
- injuries from falls by 13 percent
- depression by 11 percent
Now I get it. Hearing aids have a reputation before being bulky and uncomfortable.
But today’s models are smaller than ever. In fact, many aren’t noticeable, and some are so good you won’t even know they’re there. And once correctly adjusted by a professional, they can be life-changing.
How YOU TOO can afford a hearing aid
There is still one downside, however. Hearing aids can be a little pricey and aren’t typically covered by Medicare.
But don’t let that keep you from getting one!
There are ways to get a hearing aid without breaking the bank, including the ones I mentioned earlier from discount retailers such as Costco and Walmart.
Hearing aids aren’t covered by most plans, but some do offer an allowance toward one. And that’ll take some of the sting out of the price. Do a little investigating, and you could end up saving some cash.
If you’re still working, you can also create an HSA – health savings account – which allows you to pay for medical expenses such as hearing aids with untaxed money making your dollars go much further.
If you’ve served, you may be eligible for one via the VA. So get on the phone and make some calls.
Some hearing aid manufacturers have payment plans you can use to pay for your new device over time.
Plus, there are also local nonprofits that can help provide hearing aids for free or at a reduced cost. Search online or check your local senior center for some leads.
And starting in 2020 – now just a few months off – many hearing aids could be available over-the-counter, which should help save even more money.
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