Ten Ways to Recognize Hearing Loss

Posted 7/6/07

The following questions will help you determine whether you need to have your hearing evaluated by a medical professional:

Do you have a problem hearing over the telephone?

Do you have trouble following the conversation when two or more people are talking at the same time?

Do people complain that you turn the TV volume up too high?

Do you have to strain to understand conversations?

Do you have trouble hearing in a noisy background?

Do you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves?

Do many people you talk to seem to mumble (or not speak clearly)?

Do you misunderstand what others are saying and respond inappropriately?

Do you have trouble understanding the speech of women and children?

Do people get annoyed because you misunderstand what they say?

Source: Adapted from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Explanation of results:
• If you answered "yes" to fewer than three of the questions, you have a lot of good hearing to protect.
• If you answered "yes" to three or more of the questions, you may want to see an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat specialist) or an audiologist for a hearing evaluation.