Self-Assessment Hearing Test

Please make note of the answer that best describe the frequency with which you experience each situation or feeling below. You will be asked to tally up the score at the end of the quiz.

Answer the questions with one of the following: Almost Always, Half of the Time, Occasionally, Never.

1. I have a problem hearing on the telephone
2. I have trouble following conversation involving two or more people
3. People complain that my TV volume is too high
4. I have to strain to understand conversations
5. I miss hearing some common sounds like phones ringing or the doorbell
6. I have trouble hearing conversations in a noisy place, like at a party or a restaurant.
7. I have a hard time determining where sounds come from
8. I misunderstand some words in a sentence and need to ask people to repeat themselves
9. I have trouble understanding the speech of women and children
10. I have worked in noisy environments (factory, construction, jet engines, etc.)
11. I hear fine – people just don’t speak clearly
12. People get annoyed because I misunderstand what they say
13. I make inappropriate responses to things people say because I misunderstand them
14. I avoid social activities because I can not hear well
15. To be answered by a family member or a friend: Do you think this person has a hearing loss?

To score your test, give yourself 3 points for every “Almost Always,” 2 for every “Half of the Time,” 1 for every “Occasionally,” and 0 for every “Never.” If you have a blood relative with hearing loss, add 3 points to your score.

0-5 points:  Your hearing is fine. No action required.
6-9 points:   Suggests at least a mild hearing problem – you should seek audiologic care.
10+ points:   Suggests a significant hearing problem – strongly recommend you seek audiologic care.