Free tool
Speech-in-Noise Self-Check
Gauge how much background noise steals your speech understanding.
Difficulty understanding speech in noise is the #1 complaint audiologists hear — and it can appear before a standard audiogram shows loss. This self-check estimates the size of your speech-in-noise deficit.
In a busy restaurant, how much of what your table says do you catch?
Frequently asked
What is 'hidden hearing loss'?
A pattern where the pure-tone audiogram looks normal but speech-in-noise scores are poor — typically from cochlear synapse damage after noise exposure. It's diagnosed with tests like the QuickSIN and can benefit from hearing aids with strong directional processing.
Which hearing aid is best for restaurants?
In our clinic the strongest performers for noisy environments are Phonak Audéo Sphere (with the DEEPSONIC AI chip), Oticon Intent, and Starkey Edge AI. Directional-microphone performance and processor speed matter more than brand.
Do young people get speech-in-noise problems?
Yes. Adults in their 20s-40s with noise-exposure history increasingly present with normal audiograms but poor QuickSIN scores. It is worth testing at any age when the symptom is noise trouble specifically.