Ways to determine need for a hearing test

"I'm sorry, could you speak up?" "Could you repeat that please?" "What did you say?" "Will you turn up the TV a little more?"

If these are questions that you ask or hear someone you know constantly ask, then it's probably time for wither your or their hearing to be checked.

Ronna Fisher, licensed clinical audiologist and president of Hearing Health Center, announced that her centers will offer complimentary, personalized demonstrations so you can experience the newest revolutionary digital technology. Also, the informative "Consumer Guide to Hearing Aids" will be available for free. Call the Chicago office at (312) 263-7171.

With more and more breakthroughs in hearing aid technology, seniors, who are the largest group to require hearing aids, need better understanding about early detection, proper treatment and ongoing protection.

One third of the population over age 65 faces a hearing loss, among Baby Boomers it is on the rise, and more than 3 million children have a hearing loss.

Most people are reluctant to seek treatment because they view hearing loss as a sign of aging. In reality, there are many other factors having nothing to do with age. One of the most common causes is nothing more than exposure to noise. Even one extremely loud noise can damage the inner ear. In combat, for instance, standing to close to a cannon without proper hearing protection can do damage which lasts a lifetime.

Should it be determined that a hearing aid is necessary, consumers will be happy to know that medical advances have produced state-of-the-art aids that actually fit in the ear canal and are barely visible. Hearing aids that use digital technology adjust themselves more than 40 million times per second and are fine tuned by a computer. This fine tuning makes it possible to increase the volume of some sounds and pitches while reducing the volumes of others, offering patients better hearing in more difficult listening situations.

Here is a short test for you to take. If the results indicate that your hearing should be checked for loss, you should call (312) 263-7171 to schedule a free hearing test and receive the free consumers guide. Health Hearing centers are located in the Loop, Oak Brook Terrace, and Naperville.

Give yourself the following points for each answer:
Almost always - 3 points
Half the time - 2 points
Occasionally - 1 point
Never - 0 points

1. I have trouble following a conversation when two or more people are talking at the same time
2. I have difficulty listening to the radio
3. I have to strain to understand conversations
4. I miss hearing common sound like the phone or the doorbell ringing
5. I have trouble hearing a conversation in a noisy background such as a party or restaurant
6. I have trouble hearing when someone speaks in a whisper
7. I misunderstand some words in a sentence and need people to repeat themselves
8. I especially have trouble understanding the speech of women and children
9. I have worked in a noisy environment (assembly lines, jack hammers, jet engines, etc.)
10. I hear fine - if people just speak clearly
11. I have trouble hearing when visiting friends, relatives or neighbors
12. I misunderstand what others are saying and make inappropriate responses 

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