I went to visit with relatives yesterday and even though I was sitting right next to my nephew I had trouble hearing what he was saying. I think he's a mumbler, because I didn't have trouble with his girlfriend, but even so it concerned me. I had to make guesses several times about what he had asked me.

It occurred to me that I had both of my eardrums ruptured in December and then infected, that maybe they really were not working properly now.

I found an online hearing test -

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Lisa if you are concerned about your hearing you really need to go back to your doctor, see a specialist or at the very least a hearing aid dispenser. I can only guess, but you may have an infection from your procedure in December.

I can't tell you whether your hearing tests on the computer are good or bad. Sound on computers varies widely. (Mine is dreadful - new computer coming in 10 days yey!) These hearing tests on the computer are really only a 'consumer guide'. Only a real tests in controlled situations can give you an accurate reading.

Well I was infected after the airline flight - I went to the doctor, got antibiotics, and took them for the full course. So I know they were infected and was diagnosed. I guess the question is how they are healing up now. I'll be sure to talk with my doctor about it on my next visit.

I was playing the test through my Bose headphones which are high end noise canceling ones, so that's about the best you could do I imagine for this type of test. Certainly not perfect - but better quality than normal PC speakers or headphones

Hope you are healing well Lisa.

ouch... i don't eny you Lisa.

I was born with ruptured eardrums and collapsed ear canals. I went through years of antiobiotics, infections, and eventually surgeries.

I used the hearing test you provided and I scored pretty low. I think it might be my sound card or the fact that this is not the "perfect" environment devoid of any interference.

Yes, the online tests are not terribly accurate and you do need to see a specialist (hearing aid, ENT) to know what your loss is. Self-diagnosis will never be good and besides even if you do determine you have a hearing loss you'd still have to go to an audiologist/audiometrist to get help.

The way you describe your deafness Jase sounds as if you might be able to use a Baha. Of course I'm not a clinician and have no idea of your true situation. It's just a thought that's all.BellaOnline ALERT: Raw URLs are not allowed in these forums for security reasons. Please use UBB code. If you don't know how to do UBB code just post here for help - we will help out!

Oh I don't need a BAHA. I have restored hearing due to surgeries to stretch the eardrums back into place, though with a lot of scar tissue. it's always fun seeing a new doctor and they examine the eardrums and are liek... are you in a lot of pain because of the thick red scarring and obvious pressure and fluid in my ears LOL

I need to have the digital hearing aids that help with sounds from behind. I tend to read CC on tv or lips if I have problems... or do the usual HUH?

My brother has a ruptured ear drum and his ears bleed when he flies so he refuses to fly and when he came out from NJ years ago he took a bus.

Actually it might be punctured, although that could be very similar to a ruptured one?

The link to the hearing test is not working for me.

It looks like the server is down, Bonnie - maybe give it a try tomorrow, they might be up again then