Myth 1: I would be the first to know if I had a hearing loss.

Fact 1: In most cases, loss occurs so gradually that the person with the problem doesn’t realize his or her hearing has declined. Family members and friends often notice the difficulty first.

Ask yourself the following questions for a preliminary indication of your hearing ability:

Do high-pitched sounds like woman's and children's voices “disappear”?
Do you have trouble understanding conversation in restaurants, theaters or stores?
Do people seem not to speak as clearly as they once did?
Do you often frequently want others to repeat what they've said?
Do you need the TV volume louder than those who are watching with you?

If your answer is “yes” to any of the questions above, you may have a hearing loss.