You totally forgot your hearing exam tomorrow, but that’s not really unusual, you’re really busy. It’s a good thing we sent out a reminder text so you should have a few hours to prepare. So… what should you do?
You won’t have to stay up all night cramming for a hearing test like you did in school the night before a big exam. Getting ready for a hearing test is more about thinking through your symptoms and making sure you’re not forgetting anything. Essentially, preparing for your hearing exam is really about making sure you get as much out of your time with us as possible.
Here are 7 simple ways to get prepped and ready!
1. Put together a list of your symptoms (and when they happen)
The symptoms of hearing loss differ from person to person and at different times. Some symptoms might be more dominant than others. So, before your appointment, it’s a good plan to begin taking some notes on when your hearing loss is most noticeable. You can write things down like:
- When you’re out in a crowded restaurant, do you strain to hear conversations? If so, how often does that occur?
- During meetings at work, do you lose focus? Does this normally occur in the morning? All day?
- Is it challenging to carry on conversations on the phone? Take note of times when understanding the person on the other end is more difficult.
- Did you have a difficult time hearing the TV? Do you have it cranked way up? And do you have a harder time hearing at night?
This type of information is very useful for us. Note the day and time of these symptoms if possible. If you can’t, just note that they did happen.
2. Get some information about hearing aids
How accurate is your knowledge about hearing aids? It’s an important question because you don’t want to make any decisions based on what you think you know. An ideal time to get some valid info is when we advise you that hearing aids would benefit you.
You will get better information and the process will be accelerated when you know what types of hearing devices are available and determine what your preferences are.
3. Consider your medical past
This one will also help the process go faster after your appointment. Write down your medical history before you visit us for your appointment. Write down major medical incidents and also minor ones. You should note things like:
- Medication interactions and allergies.
- Major or minor surgeries that you have had.
- Any medical equipment you use.
- What kind of medication you take.
- Illness or diseases you’ve had that stand out in your mind.
4. Avoid loud noises and noisy settings
If you attend a loud rock concert the day before your hearing assessment, it’s going to affect the results Similarly, if you check-out an airshow the morning before your test, the results will not be accurate. The point here is that you should steer clear of loud noises before you come in for your hearing exam. This will ensure the results are an accurate reflection of the current health of your hearing.
5. Consult your insurance ahead of time
The way that health insurance and hearing tests work together can be… perplexing. Some plans might cover your hearing assessment, particularly if it’s part of a medical condition. But not all plans will. You will be far more confident at your appointment if you get this all squared away before you come in. In some instances, you can work directly with us to get insurance answers. Otherwise, you can speak to your insurance company directly.
6. Ask somebody to come with you
There are several significant advantages to bringing a relative or friend with you to your hearing test, though it’s not absolutely necessary. amongst the most notable advantages are the following:
- Even when you aren’t aware that you have hearing impairment, people close to you will absolutely be aware of it. So our test and diagnosis will be determined by much deeper and more comprehensive information.
- You’re likely to cover a lot of information during your exam. When you get home, after the appointment, you will have an easier time recalling all of the information we give you if somebody else is there with you.
7. The results will come fairly quickly
It may be days or even weeks before you receive the results of many medical diagnostics. But with a hearing test, that’s not the situation. With a hearing test, you will get the results right away.
And better yet, we’ll walk you through what your results mean and how you can improve your general hearing health. Maybe that’s a hearing aid, maybe it’s some changes to your behavior, or some hearing protection. Either way, you’ll know it right away.
So you don’t have to overthink it. But being prepared will be helpful, particularly for you.