subject: A Self Hearing Test Can Provide Some Help [print this page] In some situations, a self hearing test is a good first step to better understanding whether or not you need a more thorough evaluation of your ability to hear. Keep in mind that this type of screening is not something that you should do as a sole method of determining if you are having any loss. Rather, it is a first step in determining if you need to talk to your doctor about your ability to hear well. For many people, making that decision can be hard. After all, the loss of the ability to hear can be devastating. The good news is there is help available to many people.
What Should You Do?
To conduct your own hearing test, you just need to ask yourself a few questions about the way you hear. The following are some of the most important ones to consider. If you answer with a yes to more than two of these questions, you need to have an evaluation by an audiologist to determine what level of loss you may have.
-Do you struggle to hear well over the phone? You may miss calls or even avoid them because it is hard to hear.
-Do you notice that others turn the volume on the television down when you are not in the room? Do you need to turn the volume up when you go to some else's home?
-Do you turn your head to hear better?
-Do you feel you can hear better with one ear more than you can with the other?
-Do you need people to repeat themselves often?
-Do you have any ringing present in your ears? Do you have pain there?
-Do you have trouble understanding what people are saying even when though you can hear sounds?
-Are you withdrawing from the social interactions that you used to like?
-Do you have trouble completing tasks at work or knowing what your supervisor wants you to do?
-Are noisy backgrounds too difficult for you?
-Do you avoid eating out?
-Do you worry that loved ones will get annoyed if you ask them to repeat themselves again?
In situations where these symptoms are occurring, there is a real need to see your doctor or a specialist. These are often clear indications that you may be losing some of your abilities. However, that does not mean you will lose all of it or that there is no help available to you.
The good news is that from this basic self hearing test, you can better understand what may be happening. That way, you can make the appointment with a specialist and find out what can be done about the problem for good.
