Hearing Test: Insist On Your Doctor's Attention

Regular studies have shown that the majority of family doctors don't bother to give a hearing test to their patients unless they see a very good reason to. This is perhaps understandable. After all, a doctor has to be concerned with medical problems of a broad spectrum. They depend on their patients to tell them if they are having troubles or issues that need to be addressed. The problem is that many people don't even realize they have an issue with their ears. If you've noticed that you're cranking the volume on your TV, have experienced any ringing in your ears, or have any other reason to suspect auditory loss, insist that your doctor look at the situation closely.

Alzheimer's

What many people don't realize is that problems being able to hear can have implications beyond your ears. You may be perfectly fine with the fact that you can't hear the television as well as you could ten years ago. Maybe you even consider it a blessing in disguise that you can't hear every word of a conversation. But a hearing test is still worth having, because auditory loss can be a cause of greater problems. One such problem is the onset of Alzheimer's. A degenerative mental disease, Alzheimer's is one of the most common forms of dementia. Studies have shown that even small amounts of auditory loss can increase your chances of developing the disease.

Cardiovascular Disease

While auditory loss isn't going to cause heart disease, it can sometimes be a warning sign that your body is already suffering from it. This is particularly true if you're having trouble picking up on lower frequencies. The blood vessels in your inner ear are tremendously sensitive. When anything is wrong with your heart, they are often the first ones to suffer. This is why you should have a hearing test and make sure everything is up to snuff. Is every case of auditory loss a sign of heart disease? Of course not. But you're always better off safe than sorry.

Depression

With minor auditory loss, you may not see much of a problem in your daily life. So, you have to turn up your music a little louder than others would like. Big deal. With more significant auditory loss, however, it can take a big toll on your entire life. Researchers have found that adults suffering from auditory impairment are much more susceptible to depression and other psychological issues. These issues can often be traced directly back to an inability to hear and converse. Get a hearing test, get the treatment you need, and understand that you don't need to be left behind by your impairment.