Has your hearing deteriorated?

Most hearing losses occur gradually, so the symptoms are often difficult to recognize. If you are worried that your hearing could be diminished, try to take the following test:

1. Do people seem to mumble or speak in a softer voice than they used to?
2. Do you feel tired or irritable after a long conversation?
3. Do you sometimes miss key words in a sentence, or frequently need to ask people to repeat themselves?
4. When you are in a group, or in a crowded restaurant, do you have difficulty following the conversation?
5. When you are socializing with other people, does background noise bother you?
6. Do you often need to turn up the volume on your TV or radio?
7. Do you have difficulty hearing the doorbell or telephone ring?
8. Is carrying on a telephone conversation difficult?
9. Has someone close to you mentioned that you might have a problem with your hearing?

If you can answer yes to one or more of the questions, it might be a good idea for you to consult your general practitioner, an Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) doctor, or a Hearing Care Professional to assess your hearing. In most cases, hearing losses can be improved by the proper hearing aids.