Signs You May Want to Have Your Hearing Tested
These are signals in your day-to-day life that may indicate that you should have your hearing tested:
- You find yourself asking for others to repeat what they are saying.
- You need to turn the volume up on your TV, radio, or phone.
- You notice ringing in your ears.
- You find yourself misunderstanding what is being said to you.
- You have difficulty following conversation, especially in noisy environments.
- You feel fatigued after attending an event where you spent most of your time trying to have conversations.
- You feel as though people are mumbling when they speak to you.
- You have a hard time locating sounds around you.
Free Online Hearing Self-Check
How Is Your Hearing Affecting Your Everyday Life?
Do you sometimes have trouble following conversations, hearing the television, or understanding people in noisy places?
Take our short, 18-question hearing self-assessment to learn how hearing difficulties may be affecting your daily activities and relationships. You’ll receive a result to help you decide whether to seek a professional hearing evaluation.
Take the Free Hearing Self-Check
18 questions · No headphones needed · Results after completion
Based on the Revised Hearing Handicap Inventory (RHHI), a research-validated questionnaire for adults. This self-assessment does not diagnose hearing loss or replace a professional hearing evaluation.
When You Should Also See a Medical Provider
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified several “red flag” conditions related to hearing. If you have any of these conditions or symptoms, it is recommended you see a medical physician in addition to an audiologist.
A sudden hearing loss. If you have a hearing loss that comes on suddenly with no known cause this is considered a medical emergency. If you cannot get an appointment with your primary care physician or an ear, nose and throat specialist, you should be seen at an urgent care center or in an emergency room. Sudden hearing loss can be treated in some cases, but only if action is taken within the first few days after onset.
- Active drainage coming from your ears. This includes blood, pus and anything coming from your ear that is not wax.
- A foreign body in your ear. This means something is in your ear other than ear wax or water. This will have to be removed by a medical provider before seeing the audiologist for a hearing test.
- Dizziness. Though some forms of dizziness can be caused by issues in your ear, it is important to rule out other causes of your dizziness.