ent geriatrics

Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly — Screening (HHIE-S)

10-item screening version for adults ≥65 (Ventry & Weinstein 1983). Each item: No (0), Sometimes (2), Yes (4). Total 0–40. Cut-off ≥10 indicates self-perceived hearing handicap and triggers audiometry.

Q1. Hearing problem makes you embarrassed when meeting new people*

Q2. Hearing problem makes you feel frustrated talking to family*

Q3. Difficulty hearing when someone speaks in a whisper*

Q4. Feel handicapped by hearing problem*

Q5. Hearing problem causes difficulty when visiting friends, relatives, neighbours*

Q6. Attend religious services less often than you would like*

Q7. Hearing problem causes you to have arguments with family*

Q8. Difficulty hearing the radio or TV*

Q9. Feel any difficulty with your hearing limits/hampers your personal/social life*

Q10. Hearing problem causes difficulty when in a restaurant with relatives or friends*

Score interpretation

No self-perceived handicap 0–8

→ Reassure. Re-screen in 1–3 years or sooner if symptomatic (NICE NG98).

Mild-to-moderate handicap 10–24

→ Refer for diagnostic audiometry. If SNHL ≥25 dB HL averaged 0.5–4 kHz, fit hearing aids; counsel on listening strategies.

Significant handicap 26–40

→ Urgent audiology referral. Hearing aid fitting; consider cochlear implant assessment if severe-to-profound bilateral SNHL meeting NICE TA566 criteria.

Interpretation bands for the HHIE-S. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.

References

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA) · Hearing

Drugs

Pathways

Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.

Score interpretation

References

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