Do you hear well?
Take our self-check test. Hearing loss happens gradually so you may not realise it's time to take action.
Hearing loss is more common than you might think. It happens gradually and the signs are subtle at first. Our own built-in defences and ability to adapt make it difficult to self-diagnose. It’s far better to deal with hearing loss than pretend it isn’t happening or to ignore the effect it is having on you and those around you.
Choose YES or NO to gain insight into your hearing status.
- I can hear words but can't always distinguish them
- Other people's speech often sounds slurred or mumbled
- I have trouble understanding when women and children speak
- Conversations with background noise – like at the dinner table or parties – are difficult to follow.
- I have difficulty understanding soft or whispered speech.
- I have trouble catching everything that’s said on the phone.
- I'm straining to hear at meetings, in church, or at the theatre.
- I have to ask for frequent repeats or for people to speak up.
- Others complain that I play the TV, radio or stereo too loud.
- Certain sounds seem overly annoying or loud to me.
- I hear a hissing, ringing or other noise inside one or both my ears.
- I feel my ear/ears are plugged or blocked.
- I favour one ear over the other.
- I feel uncomfortable in social occasions which I used to enjoy.
- I feel withdrawn, depressed irritable.
- Friends or family members have noticed I have difficulty hearing.
- Others in my family have hearing loss
If your answer is YES to any one of the questions, it does not indicate that you have hearing loss but it suggests that you need further evaluation
Contact your local Hearing Association or Hospital Audiology Department.
Comment
An estimated 60% of people with hearing loss go undetected, and 40% of all cases go untreated – don't be one of the statistics that suffer in silence. Unacknowledged hearing loss can become a barrier to older people's full involvement in society and enjoyment of life. Older people, their families and colleagues, health workers and government all have a role to play in helping to overcome hearing loss.
Resources
> VISIT the Hearing Association New Zealand
> VISIT the Life Unlimited Trust (a NASC and hearing therapist)
> VISIT the New Zealand Audiological Society
> GO TO our information on hearing aids
Briefing to the Incoming Minister of Health
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Read our information for Hon Tony Ryall. > DOWNLOAD [PDF file, 0.02MB]
Source: Audiology Services, Capital + Coast District Health Board
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