How well do you hear? - Hear the World

How to recognize hearing loss?

People affected by hearing loss often find it difficult to recognize and accept it. In most cases hearing loss develops over a long period of time. Therefore, it often takes a while before the symptoms are identified.

Now it's time to give honest answers to a few questions

Are any of the following situations familiar to you?
Please check the boxes for the situations that apply.
(The information you supply is completely anonymous and will not be stored.)

I sometimes feel that people are not speaking clearly (mumbling).

When people address me from behind or from a few feet away, I have difficulty understanding them.

I have difficulty understanding people in meetings or group discussions.

In situations with a high noise level, e.g. in restaurants, on the train, or at parties, I have difficulty understanding other people.

I find it hard to hear birds singing, footsteps, running water, and other soft everyday sounds.

I sometimes fail to hear the doorbell or telephone.

I turn the television or radio up louder than other people. When someone else controls the volume, I have problems understanding.

Other people have told me that I don’t hear well.

Assessment:

Your result: Very good
Congratulations – you seem to have no problems with your hearing. Please help to make sure that it remains so, by avoiding excessive noise and wearing ear protection at all times.
» How to protect your hearing

Your result: Good
You are showing the first signs of hearing loss. However, this should not be a cause for concern – you are still managing well in day-to-day life. Please pay close attention to your hearing and act straight away should you notice first signs of degradation.
» Test your hearing regularly

Your result: Alarming
You are showing all the signs of a moderate hearing loss. The earlier you do something about it, the sooner you will regain your hearing. Don’t wait too long and “forget” how to hear.
» What should I do next?
» Specialist advice in your area

Your result: Problematic
You are showing all the signs of a severe hearing loss. Don’t wait too long – the sooner you react, the more quickly and easily you will be able to regain the quality of life you are used to.
» What should I do next?
» Specialist advice in your area

Your result: Serious
You are showing all the signs of having difficulty hearing and suffering from severe hearing loss. You should lose no further time and do all you can to regain the quality of life you are used to. Please seek advice as soon as possible!
» What should I do next?
» Specialist advice in your area

Your result: Critical
You are showing all the signs of definite – and undoubtedly very debilitating – hearing loss. Your quality of life is severely restricted by your poor hearing, and you are also isolating yourself more and more from other people. If you have not yet sought specialist advice, you should do so immediately!
» What should I do next?
» Specialist advice in your area

Don’t wait too long –
because your brain forgets the process of hearing

If one or more of these situations apply to you, you should have your hearing tested by a hearing healthcare professional. In the meantime, you can also take our online hearing screening.
» Online hearing test
» What you should do next
» Specialist advice in your area

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Online hearing test

Living with hearing loss

What causes hearing loss?

How to recognize hearing loss?

Now it's time to give honest answers to a few questions

Don’t wait too long –
because your brain forgets the process of hearing

Login

Login

Survey

Online hearing test

Living with hearing loss

What causes hearing loss?

How to recognize hearing loss?

Now it's time to give honest answers to a few questions

Don’t wait too long –because your brain forgets the process of hearing

Don’t wait too long –
because your brain forgets the process of hearing