Treat Hearing Loss to Help Prevent Alzheimer's Disease

Hearing loss lowers our communication ability and may lead to loneliness . People with hearing loss are also at risk of developing some form of dementia or Alzheimer's disease .

A new study by John Hopkins and the National Institute on Aging finds that men and women with severe hearing loss are five times more likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's than those with normal hearing .

The risk appears to increase once hearing loss begins to interfere with the ability to communicate . Having the assistance of a hearing aid may not prevent dementia , but would improve a person's quality of life and offer other substantial benefits .

If you are experiencing hearing loss don't wait too long before seeking professional advice . The sooner you improve your hearing , the easier it is for your brain to adjust . When shopping for a hearing aid it would be helpful to bring a friend or relative along to help you hear and remember what advice is offered .

Audiologists and hearing instrument specialists are both licensed to sell hearing aids . A hearing test will help the hearing specialist to understand and pin - point your particular type of hearing loss and determine how to provide the best hearing device for you .

Request a demonstration of the hearing aid that is being recommended for you so you can experience how it works . Shop around for the best style and fit for your needs . Many are designed to work best for individuals that use electronic devices such as cell phones , television , or other technology devices on a daily basis .

You may want to invest in a less expensive device if you are only going to need it for home and social events . Consider your age and social life to help you to decide the type of hearing assistance you may need .

Once you have been fitted with a hearing aid , request a test it before you leave the office to be sure you can hear well and that you understand how to make adjustments . Keep a signed copy of your contract with the model number , price , trial period and refund options clearly listed . Most manufactures of hearing aids offer a 30 to 60 day trial period . Inquire about auditory training , which may help you and your brain adjust to hearing new sounds .

Hearing aids are expensive , expect to pay a minimum of $ 1 , 200 which is not covered by that Medicare .

For more information contact the Better Hearing Institute at :

betterhearing . org or 1 - 800 - 327 - 9355

Source : AARP bulletin - May 2011