If you can’t tell whether a friend just said “tin,” “kin,” or “chin,” it’s time for a self-test. You don’t have to raise your right or left hand; just answer the following questions. Three or more “yes” answers mean you should have your hearing evaluated by an audiologist.

Do you have a problem hearing over the telephone?

Do you have trouble following a conversation when two or more people are talking at the same time?

Do people complain that you turn the television up too high?

Do you have to strain to understand conversations?

Do you have trouble hearing in noisy places?

Do you often ask people to repeat themselves?

Do people you talk to 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?

Source: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.