How do I know if I have a hearing loss?

By: Laura Mergen, Au.D., CCC-A

The only sure way to know if you have a hearing loss is to have a diagnostic hearing evaluation. This battery of tests will determine how soft are the softest sounds you can hear at different pitches and how well you are able to recognize spoken words.

However, there are some signs and symptoms that can indicate that you might have a hearing loss. If family or friends give you a hard time about having to repeat what they say or tease you about the volume of your television, you may have a hearing loss. If you feel left out of conversations or avoid situations because you have trouble understanding what people are saying, you may have a hearing loss.

Do you feel like people mumble their speech or fail to speak clearly? Do you rely heavily on seeing a person’s face in order to understand what they say? If so, you may have a hearing loss. Do you have difficulty hearing over the phone or following conversation in a group? It might be time for a hearing test.

Even a small degree of hearing loss can have a big impact on your daily life and the lives of those around you. If you suspect that you may have a hearing loss, see your hearing healthcare provider for a diagnostic exam.