Educational Information

M.M.B. Hearing Center can help to determine whether you might have hearing loss.

Click on the following topics:

• Recognizing the signs of hearing loss
• Getting your hearing tested: what to expect
• Hearing self-evaluation

The questions and self-exam will aid you in making a decision regarding further possible examination.

Recognizing the signs of hearing loss
If you think someone you know might have a hearing loss, take a look at this list of common signs:

• They appear to hear people talk but have difficulty understanding some of the words
• They’re constantly asking people to repeat themselves
• They have a hard time understanding women and children’s voices
• They have a hard time understanding in a crowd It’s hard for them to understand on the phone
• They favor one ear over the other
• They complain of a ringing sensation in one or both ears
• They often appear uncomfortable in social occasions they used to enjoy
• They seem withdrawn, depressed or irritable
• Other friends or family members have noticed their difficulty hearing

While a few “yes” answers don’t automatically indicate a hearing loss, it does suggest the need for further evaluation. Top

Getting your hearing tested: what to expect
Tests that measure hearing ability are relatively quick and painless.

An audiologist will probably perform 3 or 4 simple exams, which may include

• otoscopy, or looking into the ears with a lighted scope;
• an audiogram, a sound check that produces a mapping or graphical representation of hearing ability;
• and a tympanogram, which measures the pressure of the inner ear and assesses the ear drum’s mobility.

These tests are performed at the hearing professional’s office and usually take less than an hour to complete.

With the information from these tests, your hearing professional will be able to make an accurate assessment of your hearing capabilities and advise you of all your treatment options. If a medical problem is found, your hearing professional will refer you to a physician for next steps. Top

Hearing self-evaluation

Not sure about the state of your hearing? This brief quiz can give you an idea of whether you’re experiencing hearing loss.

Answer yes or no.

• Do you hear people talk but have difficulty understanding the words?
• Do long conversations make you feel tired or irritable?
• Do people seem to mumble or speak more softly than they used to?
• Do you need to ask people to repeat things frequently?
• Do you piece together the meaning of speech without hearing all the words?
• Are you turning up the volume on the radio or tv above where others listen?
• Is it difficult to converse on the phone or your cell phone?
• Do you hear better with one ear than the other?
• Is it harder to hear when background noise is present?
• Do you strain to hear in crowded bars or restaurants?
• Have you had any significant noise exposure at work, recreation or in military service?
• Do you have difficulty following dialog at the movies or in a theater?
• Is it easier to understand men’s voices than women’s?
• Do you often misunderstand what others say?
• Is it sometimes difficult to understand the speaker at a public meeting or service?
• Does difficulty hearing cause you anxiety or embarrassment in new situations?
• Does difficulty hearing cause you to visit with friends or family members less often than you’d like?
• Has anyone close to you suggested that you might have a hearing problem?

Many people can answer yes to at least one question. But if you answer yes to two or more, it’s time for a more thorough investigation. Top