hearing tests...

http://health.msn.com/mens-health/the-most-neglected-health-test-for-men

I agree it's sorely neglected, but this goes for both men and women. Everyone should get their hearing checked regularly. It's like breathing...you take it for granted until one day you can't do it any more.

Gradual hearing loss (the most common kind) is insidious b/c it's not really apparent to the person it's happening to, even if it's painfully obvious to everyone around that person that there's a problem. Plus, once diagnosed, people just don't want to accept it, or accept amplificaiton (old people go deaf and wear hearing aids, not me!, etc.). I know, been through all of it. I now wear two awesome hearing aids, they changed my life, but it was a long road to getting me to accept that I must have amplification to function.

Nutrition can also play a big part in hearing loss, as well. For example, magnesium has been demonstrated to protect the delicate nerves of the ear. Wish to hell I'd known that a long time ago. But those of you who are deep into music, be careful. I went to a lot of concerts and worked in bars with live bands for a lot of years. That definitely contributed to the problem.