An otologist can test for hearing loss with an audiometer, which can be increased decibel by decibel. A 20-decibel loss means you have difficulty hearing in theater. A 30-decibel loss means you cannot hear well in a living room and you are in need of a hearing aid. A 50-decibel loss indicates you cannot hear well even on the telephone.
Self-test: Answer yes or no to the following questions:
1. Do you hear better on the telephone than in normal room conversation?
2. Do you often misunderstand what is being said on television?
3. Do you frequently find it necessary to cock your ear with your hand to hear well?
4. Do you often give listening to someone because he is difficult to hear?
5. Do you misunderstand what people are saying?
6. When you place a ticking watch at the ear opening and then on the bone behind the ear, do you hear better on the bone?
If any of the above questions are answered yes, you are suffering from some hearing loss and should consult an otologist
