Do you think a hearing test is only a priority if there is a problem with your ears? Like maybe a spouse complains that you turn the volume up the TV too high or voices seem so muffled lately. Those are both good reasons to schedule an appointment with a hearing professional. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reports that around 15 percent of the adults have some hearing loss, many of them seniors. If you have symptoms then it is likely that there is some hearing loss and getting the test done will help you find a solution. What you might not realize, though, is getting screened for hearing loss is a lifesaver because even a small change in your hearing might indicate something much bigger is going on. Consider four ways getting a hearing test could save your life.

A Clear Link Between Hearing Loss and Dementia

This is a connection that scientists have made just recently and a real breakthrough for millions of individuals. The World Health Association (WHO) estimates that by 2050, there may be over 100 million individuals globally suffering from some form of dementia. At the root of this increase is the age-related hearing loss. Research offered by scientists at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions discovered that people with mild hearing loss, around a 25 decimal decline, increase their risk of developing Alzheimer’s. For every 10 decibels that your hearing drops, the risk increases by 20 percent. The reasoning is complex, but, essentially, the struggle to hear constantly takes a toll on the brain. A hearing test can predict your risk level and help create a solution like a hearing aid to reduce the stress and lower your risk.

Hearing Loss and Cardiovascular Disease

Getting a much-needed hearing exam might also save you from a heart attack or perhaps a stroke. Hearing decline may be a symptom of cardiovascular disease. The inner ear has a very intricate network of blood vessels that are sensitive. Even the tiniest change in blood flow, like a poorly functioning major artery, can show up first as hearing loss. If the hearing test indicates a slight decrease, but there doesn’t appear to be any problem with the mechanisms of your ears, the next place to look at blood flow.

Skin Cancer Found During a Hearing Test

A hearing test is an assessment that goes beyond just the audiometer screening, too. A medical professional will do a physical exam of your ears, too. This location is a difficult to see and where a suspect mole can be easily missed. During the exam of your ears, the physician will look at the skin for signs of lesions or potential cancer growth.

Hearing Loss and Depression

That saying your mother had about you don’t miss something until it’s gone is very true when it comes to hearing. Even a slight hearing loss can bring with it anxiety and depression. You may not know why you’re struggling to keep up or perhaps you think bad hearing is just part of getting older. You may be afraid of what a hearing test will tell you, too. What if you are going deaf and there is nothing you can do about it? That fear is unwarranted for most. Hearing loss is usually treatable medically or by using a hearing assistance device. Either way, you have more to lose than gain by avoiding this simple test. You are making a choice when you decide to live with your hearing loss instead of getting tested and treated. Now you know it’s a decision that can really cost you.