I'm thinking about getting hearing aids.

I'm only 59 years old and don't feel like I have a hearing problem at all, but a few years ago I went to an ENT and he did a hearing test on me and said I needed hearing aids! I laughed it off of course, but recently I have noticed that my balance has gotten worse and I always have to grab onto things to keep from falling. And I have been getting vertigo a lot too. I know those things are inner ear related. Well a customer came in my work and was telling me that he just got hearing aids and how mid doctor told him that if you have ANY kind of hearing problem, it dramatically increases your risk for Alzheimer's!!! I didn't believe him, but after googling it, I found out that is true! That wearing a hearing aid like in your 40's or 50's or if you have any hearing issues from loud music, or whatever reduces your risk of getting dementia by almost 50%!! The thought of Alzheimer's is one of my biggest fears, especially since I am alone. So I want to do anything I can to prevent getting it. So I think I might get hearing aids. But I don't want to get the kind from the doctor that cost over $5,000- I want to get the kind that you can order online and can finance. Does anyone else here have that kind that they could recommend?

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uncalled4 · 56-60, M

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Alzheimer's one of those "delayed age of onset" diseases? It's not like you "catch" Alzheimer's, as far as I know.

My mother has some, but they are majorly expensive. If you'd like, I'll ask her about them.

Mardrae · 61-69, F

@uncalled4 you don't catch it, but hearing loss is one of the things that can cause it I found out. I don't want the super expensive kind- can't afford it

uncalled4 · 56-60, M

@Mardrae Interesting. I'm told that one of the first things that changes is sense of smell.

Mardrae · 61-69, F

@uncalled4 I don't know anything about Alzheimer disease but I do know that I want to do everything I can to prevent it, and finding out that hearing loss is a contributing factor makes me want to go ahead and get a pair since I have been having a lot of balance issues and vertigo lately and I googled it and it says that's a sign of hearing loss too.

uncalled4 · 56-60, M

@Mardrae My mother has had poor hearing for 30+ years and has exhibited no signs of dementia. Obviously, I'm not a doctor, and the closest I've gotten is to observe people with Alzheimer's, but it may not be a smoking gun. Have you seen an audiologist?