Hearing loss in adults can be hereditary or acquired from illness, ototoxic (ear-damaging) medications, exposure to loud noise, tumors, head injury, or most commonly due to aging. This loss may occur by itself or with tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

The following questions could help you determine if you should have your hearing evaluated by a medical professional. If you answered "yes" to three or more of these questions, you may want to see an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat specialist) or an audiologist for a hearing evaluation.

Do you have a problem hearing over the telephone?
Do you have trouble following the conversation when two or more people are talking at the same time?
Do people complain that you turn the TV volume up too high?
Do you have to strain to understand conversation?
Do you have trouble hearing in a noisy background?
Do you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves?
Do many people that you interact with seem to mumble ?
Do you misunderstand what others are saying and respond inappropriately?
Do you have trouble understanding the speech of women and children?
Do people get annoyed because you misunderstand what they say?

*Deafness Research Foundation, RNID, American Speech, Language & Hearing Association