How to Recognize Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can sneak up on you, and you may only have a vague awareness that it's happening. It's not just a problem for the elderly, especially if you've been rockin' out with the headphones on and your iPod cranked up. Here are some questions to ask yourself about your hearing.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Do you have a problem hearing over the telephone?
2. Do you have trouble following the conversation when two or more people are talking at the same time?
3. Do people complain that you turn the TV volume up too high?
4. Do you have to strain to understand conversation?
5. Do you have trouble hearing in a noisy background?
6. Do you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves?
7. Do many people you talk to seem to mumble (or not speak clearly)?
8. Do you misunderstand what others are saying and respond inappropriately?
9. Do you have trouble understanding the speech of women and children?
10. Do people get annoyed because you misunderstand what they say?
11. If you answered "yes" to three or more of these questions, you may want to see an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat specialist) or an audiologist for a hearing evaluation.

Tips & Warnings

• Some communities offer free hearing evaluations. Do an internet search for [ free hearing test yourcity yourstate ] and see what pops up.