Many people experience hearing loss gradually, often due to medications,
noise exposure or the natural aging process. Hearing loss can also be a sign of
more serious health problems. To see if you have a hearing loss, try this quick
test.
ANSWER KEY: A = Almost always B = Half the time C = Occasionally D = Never
I have a problem
hearing over the telephone. A B
C D I have trouble
following the conversation when two or more people are talking at the same time. A
B C D People complain that
I turn the TV volume too high. A
B C D I have to strain to
understand conversations. A
B C D I miss hearing some
common sounds like the phone or doorbell. A B
C D I have trouble
hearing conversations in a noisy background. A
B C D I get confused about
where sounds come from. A
B C D I misunderstand
words in a sentence and ask people to repeat a lot A
B C D I especially have
trouble understanding women and children. A
B C D I have worked in
noisy environments.
A B
C D
Many people I talk
to seem to mumble, or don't speak clearly. A
B C D People get annoyed
because I misunderstand what they say. A
B C D I misunderstand what
others say and make inappropriate responses. A
B C D I avoid social
activities because I cannot hear well and fear I’ll make
improper
replies.
A B
C D
A family member or friend has suggested that maybe I have a hearing
problem. A
B C D
Scoring: A = 3 points B = 2 points C = 1 point D = 0 points
Your Score: ____________
If you scored 10 or more points, you should have your
hearing tested.