how do you know when a wheel bearing has gone bad?

[EEYORE5182@aol.com]

as of yesterday, my passenger side front wheel is starting to make a noise.
it will go away, and tonight i noticed that the noise goes dimishes/goes away
under LESS load.  the noise itself comes and goes.  for instance, it started
last night, was fine today, and then came back again this evening.  it sounds
like someone scraping a fork across a dinner plate.  sound like a bearing?

Alex
'93 NX2k