Do You Need A Hearing Test?

From the National Institute on Deafness and other Communicative Disorders:

Click above to link to NIDCD brochure.

If you are 18 to 64 years old, the following questions will help you determine if you need to have your hearing tested by a health professional. Answer YES or NO.

1. Do you sometimes feel embarrassed when you meet new people because you struggle to hear?
    Yes
    No
2. Do you feel frustrated when talking to members of your family because you have difficulty hearing them?
    Yes
    No
3. Do you have difficulty hearing or understanding co-workers, clients, or customers?
    Yes
    No
4. Do you feel restricted or limited by a hearing problem?
    Yes
    No
5. Do you have difficulty hearing when visiting friends, relatives, or neighbors?
    Yes
    No
6. Do you have trouble hearing in the movies or in the theater?
    Yes
    No
7. Does a hearing problem cause you to argue with family members?
    Yes
    No
8. Do you have trouble hearing the TV or radio at levels that are loud enough for others?
    Yes
    No
9. Do you feel that any difficulty with your hearing limits your personal life or social life?
    Yes
    No
10. Do you have trouble hearing family or friends when you are together in a restaurant?
     Yes
     No

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. 

Adapted from: Newman, C.W., Weinstein, B.E., Jacobson, G.P., & Hug, G.A. (1990). The Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults [HHIA]: Psychometric adequacy and audiometric correlates. Ear Hear, 11, 430-433.