Hearing loss is sometimes referred to as a "hidden" disability because it often goes unrecognized by the person(s) involved and by those around them. When you show some of the tell-tale signs listed below, you may be misinterpreted as snobbish, rude, inattentive, confused, senile or just plain odd. On the other hand, you may lose your hearing so gradually, over so many years, that you come to believe people are just talking more softly these days. The need to turn up the volume a bit more on TVs, radios and stereo systems is ascribed to softer transmission or having left the volume turned down the last time you listened.

More than 28 million Americans have some type of hearing problem, often caused by too much exposure to loud sounds (noise-induced hearing loss, or NIHL). Children and teenagers seldom complain about the symptoms of hearing loss, and adults may lose their hearing so gradually that they do not realize it is happening. Generally, the condition takes years to become noticeable to you and you may not even realize that your hearing has begun to deteriorate.

Listed below are a number of the "tell-tale signs" of hearing loss. If you have one or more of the following problems, then it's possible you are suffering from a hearing loss and it may be a good idea to have your hearing checked by an audiologist, an otologist (a physician specializing in just the diseases of the ear -- there aren't many of these) or an otolaryngologist (a physician specializing in diseases of the ear, nose and throat -- these docs are easier to find).

Do you...

• Find yourself saying "Huh?" or "What?" more often?
• Often have to strain to hear normal conversation?
• Sometimes have to watch other people's faces to follow what they are saying?
• Respond inappropriately to questions?
• Often need to ask people to repeat what they have said?
• Frequently misunderstand what people have said?
• Need to turn the volume up on the TV or radio to the point that others complain?
• Often think that people are mumbling or not talking clearly?
• Have problems with ringing in the ears or head noises?
• Regularly have trouble understanding what people are saying on the phone?
• Need to strain to hear when someone whispers to you?
• Have trouble hearing someone calling you from behind or from another room?
• Have more trouble hearing women and children's voices?
• Often have difficulties when listening to someone speak to a large group of people, for example at church, meetings or lectures?
• Have difficulty hearing certain sounds that others have no problems hearing?

  Video 9: Mead Killion discusses hearing loss