You might have experienced hearing loss if you. . .Socially:

• Require frequent repetition.
• Have difficulty following conversations involving more than 2 people.
• Think that other people sound muffled or like they're mumbling.
• Think that people speak to fast.
• Have difficulty hearing in noisy situations, like conferences, restaurants, malls, or crowded meeting rooms.
• Have trouble hearing children and women.
• Have your TV or radio turned up to a high volume.
• Answer or respond inappropriately in conversations.
• Read lips or more intently watch people's faces when they speak with you.

Emotionally:

• Feel stressed out from straining to hear what others are saying.
• Feel annoyed at other people because you can't hear or understand them.
• Feel embarrassed to meet new people or from misunderstanding what others are saying.
• Feel nervous about trying to hear and understand.
• Withdraw from social situations that you once enjoyed because o f difficulty hearing.

Medically:

• Have a family history of hearing loss.
• Take medications that can harm the hearing system (ototoxic drugs).
• Have diabetes, heart, circulation or thyroid problems.
• Have been exposed to very loud sounds over a long period or single exposure to explosive noise.

 References:  EXCERTS TAKEN FROM THE HEARING INSTITUTE WEB PAGE  Patricia E. Connelly, PhD, CCC-A, FAAA, New Jersey Medical School, NEWARK, NJ