Someone I Know May Have Hearing Loss

Do you think you or someone you know may have hearing loss?

People with hearing loss often have the following complaints about communicating with others:

• “People seem to mumble. I know someone is talking, but I can’t understand what he or she is saying.”
• “I can hear just fine in places that are quiet, but I have trouble hearing in noisy situations.”
• “Sometimes I may mistake a word for one that rhymes with it.”
• “I have to turn the television up to the point that it bothers other family members”.

Other signs of a hearing problem in older adults can be detected in these complaints voiced by family members and friends:

• “My mother doesn’t understand what I am saying unless I am looking right at her!”
• “My father constantly asks for words to be repeated.”
• “I have noticed that my parents are withdrawing from social contact and friendships.”
• “I sometimes think that my husband isn’t listening to me”.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association created the following self test to help people determine if they have a hearing loss. Take this self test to find out if you need to visit a hearing professional.

1. Do you have a problem hearing over the telephone?
    Yes
    No
2. Do you hear better in one ear than the other when you are on the telephone?
    Yes
    No
3. Do you have trouble following the conversation when two or more people are talking at the same time?
    Yes
    No
4. Do people complain that you turn the TV volume up too high?
    Yes
    No
5. Do you have to strain to understand conversation?
    Yes
    No
6. Do you have trouble hearing in a noisy background?
    Yes
    No
7. Do you have trouble hearing in restaurants?
    Yes
    No
8. Do you have dizziness, pain, or ringing in your ears?
    Yes
    No
9. Do you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves?
    Yes
    No
10. Do family members or co-workers remark about your missing what has been said?
     Yes
     No
11. Do many people you talk to seem to mumble (or not speak clearly)?
     Yes
     No
12. Do you misunderstand what others are saying and respond inappropriately?
     Yes
     No
13. Do you have trouble understanding the speech of women and children?
     Yes
     No
14. Do people get annoyed because you misunderstand what they say?
     Yes
     No

Contact South Suburban Hearing Center today at 708-966-4724 to learn more about how hearing loss affects those you love, and what can be done, or browse our web site for more information on Hearing Aids.