5 Minute Hearing Test...especially for seniors - ENT Carolina in Gastonia, an Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy & Asthma Practice

5 Minute Hearing Test...especially for seniors

This quiz was field-tested on 71 older patients in five cities; audiograms were also run on them. Results showed that those whose quiz scores indicated a need to see a physician were confirmed, on the audiogram, as having a hearing impairment.

Mark the column that best describes the frequency with which you experience each situation or feeling.

5 Minute Hearing Test	Almost Always	Half the Time	Occasion -ally	Never
1. I have a problem hearing over the telephone.
2. I have trouble following the conversation when two or more people are talking at the same time.
3. People complain that I turn the TV volume too high.
4. I have to strain to understand conversations.
5. I miss hearing some common sounds like the phone or doorbell ringing.
6. I have trouble hearing conversations in a noisy background such as a party.
7. I get confused about where sounds come from.
8. I misunderstand some words in a sentence and need to ask people to repeat themselves.
9. I especially have trouble understanding the speech of women and children.
10. I have worked in noisy environments (assembly lines, jackhammers, jet engines, etc.).
11. Many people I talk to seem to mumble (or don't speak clearly).
12. People get annoyed because I misunderstand what they say.
13. I misunderstand what others are saying and make inappropriate responses.
14. I avoid social activities because I cannot hear well and fear I'll replay improperly.
To be answered by a family member or friend: 15. Do you think this person has a hearing loss?

Scoring: To calculate your score, give yourself 3 points for every time you checked the "Almost always" column, 2 for every "Half the time", 1 for every "Occasionally", and 0 for every "Never". If you have a blood relative who has a hearing loss, and another 3 points. Then total your points.

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery recommends the following:

0 to 5 --- Your hearing is fine. No action is required

6 to 9 --- Suggest you see an ear-nose-and-throat (ENT) specialist

10 and above --- Strongly recommend you see an ear physician.

©1992. This leaflet is published as a public service. The material may be freely used so long as attribution is given to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc., Alexandria, VA