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      Do You Need a Hearing Test?


Image of the Do you Need a Hearing Test? Bookmark
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.

Do you sometimes feel embarrassed when you meet new people because you struggle to hear? Yes No
	Do you feel frustrated when talking to members of your family because you have difficulty hearing them? Yes No
	Do you have difficulty hearing or understanding co-workers, clients, or customers? Yes No
	Do you feel restricted or limited by a hearing problem? Yes No
	Do you have difficulty hearing when visiting friends, relatives, or neighbors? Yes No
	Do you have trouble hearing in the movies or in the theater? Yes No
	Does a hearing problem cause you to argue with family members? Yes No
	Do you have trouble hearing the TV or radio at levels that are loud enough for others? Yes No
	Do you feel that any difficulty with your hearing limits your personal life or social life? Yes No
	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, or learn about over-the-counter hearing aids.**

*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.*

The HHIA test was modified for use with adults ages 18 to 64 from the original Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE), designed for use in adults aged 65 years and older. This test has been validated for consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity.

For more information on hearing loss, please contact the NIDCD Information Clearinghouse.

March 2016



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    Last Updated Date:
      August 16, 2022
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          Yale-led study pinpoints why some adults develop hearing problemsYale School of Medicine (05/11/2023)

    

  
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