In 430 individuals with adult onset hearing loss, relationships were explored between definitions of handicap based on a number of arithmetic formulas applied to audiometric data and definitions of handicap based on two self-report questionnaires (the Denver Scale of Communication Function and the Social Hearing Handicap Index). Resulting linear correlations were very low with the highest relationship--between better ear pure-tone average and perceived handicap--being only 0.38. Of the standard hearing handicap formulas, the 1947 American Medical Association calculation and the 1980 Ohio State formula showed the highest correlations with perceived handicap (0.33 and 0.28, respectively). The results highlight the difference between audiometrically calculated and self-reported hearing handicap.