It is easier to identify hearing loss in others than in yourself. People often blame their hearing difficulty on the speaker or the listening situation. However, if you can honestly  look at your behavior, you can gain valuable insight.

 Read through these questions to determine if you may have a hearing problem:

• Do you frequently ask for words or sentences to be repeated?
• Do you strain to understand conversation?
• Do you often turn up the television or radio louder than others would perfer?
• Do people often sound as though they're mumbling or speaking too softly?
• When you are socialising, does background noise bother you?
• Do you misunderstand what others are saying or answer questions inappropriately?
• Do you remove yourself from conversations or social situations because it is difficult to hear what is being said?
• Do you need to ask others about details of a meeting that you just attended?
• Do you have difficulty hearing the doorbell or telephone?
• Has someone close to you mentioned that you might have a problem with your hearing?
  
  
  If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have a hearing problem. The next step is to have your hearing evaluated by a hearing care professional. To find one in your area, click here.

For more information about hearing loss, visit the Royal National Institute of the Deaf website at http://www.rnid.org.uk.