Do I need a hearing test?
Good question and thankfully there has been a fair amount of research and science involved in helping us answer that for you.
If you are 18 to 64 years old and wondering if you should get your hearing checked in Taunton or Somerset, the following 10 questions* will help you determine if you need to have your hearing tested by a hearing health professional.
Instructions: Please answer Yes, No, or Sometimes for each question.
Do not skip a question if you avoid a situation because of a hearing problem.
If you use a hearing aid, please answer according to the way you hear when wearing your hearing aid(s).
Do you sometimes feel embarrassed when you meet new people because you struggle to hear?
Do you feel frustrated when talking to members of your family because you have difficulty hearing them?
Do you have difficulty hearing or understanding co-workers, clients, or customers?
Do you feel restricted or limited by a hearing problem?
Does a hearing problem cause you difficulty when visiting friends, relatives, or neighbours?
Does a hearing problem cause you to attend social occasions less often than you would like?
Does a hearing problem cause you to have arguments with family members?
Do you have trouble hearing the TV or radio at levels that are loud enough for others?
Do you feel that any difficulty with your hearing limits your personal life or social life?
Do you have trouble hearing family or friends when you are together in a restaurant?
Scoring: No = 0; Sometimes = 2; Yes = 4.
Interpretation of Total Score:
0-8 = no hearing handicap.
10-24 = mild to moderate hearing handicap.
26-40 = severe hearing handicap.
If you have scored >10, we would recommend getting your hearing checked, and of course, if you are in Somerset, we can help you with this.
If you are still unsure and want a quick check now, our free online hearing test can be completed in just a few minutes.
*Adapted from Newman, C.W., Weinstein, B.E., Jacobson, G.P., & Hug, G.A. (1990). The Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults [HHIA]: Psychometric adequacy and audiometric correlates. Ear Hear, 11, 430-433. The HHIA test was modified for use with adults ages 18 to 64 from the original Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE), designed for use in adults aged 65 years and older. This test has been validated for consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity.
