You’re a fairly busy person, so it’s understandable that you totally forgot about the hearing exam you have scheduled for tomorrow. Thankfully, you just got that reminder text from us, and you still have a few hours to prepare. So what should I do to get ready?
Hearing tests aren’t like those days in college or high school where you’d have to stay up all night to study for a test. Preparing for a hearing test is more about thinking through your symptoms and making certain you’re not forgetting anything. Getting the most out of your time with us is what getting ready for your hearing test is really about.
Here are 7 simple ways to get yourself prepped and ready!
1. List out all of your symptoms and when you experience them
Hearing loss doesn’t manifest the same way for everyone all the time. There might be some symptoms that are obvious and others that are more discreet. So, before your appointment, it’s a good plan to begin taking a few notes on when your hearing loss is most significant. You can jot things down like:
- Do you find yourself losing focus during meetings at work? Does this normally happen in the morning? All day?
- Is talking on the phone difficult? Note times when hearing the person on the other end is more difficult.
- Did you have trouble hearing a conversation while eating out in a busy restaurant? Does that happen a lot?
- Did you have a difficult time hearing the TV? How loud is the volume? And do you notice that it’s harder to hear later in the evening than in the morning?
This kind of information is really useful for us. If you can, take note of the time and date these symptoms occurred. At least observe the occurrence of the symptoms if you can’t record the times.
2. Do some research on hearing aids
How much do you really know about hearing aids? It’s an important question because you don’t want to make any decisions influenced by what you think you know. An ideal opportunity to get some accurate info is when we advise you that hearing aids would benefit you.
Knowing what types of hearing devices are available and what your preferences may be can help speed up the process and help you get better information.
3. Go over your medical history
This one will also help the process go smoother after your appointment. Before you come in, you should take some time to write down your medical history. This should consist of both major and minor situations. You should note things like:
- Allergies and reactions to medications.
- Major or minor surgeries that you have undergone.
- Any history of sickness or health problems (you don’t have to note every cold, but anything that stands out).
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Medical equipment you may presently be using.
4. Loud noisy environments should be avoided
If you attend a booming rock concert the night before your hearing test, it’s going to impact the outcome. Similarly, if you check-out an airshow the morning before your exam, the results will not be reliable. The point here is that you need to avoid loud noises before you come in for your hearing exam. This will help ensure your results are reliable and reveal your current hearing health.
5. Before you come in, check with your insurance company
It can be a bit confusing sorting out what portions of your appointment will be covered by insurance. Some plans may cover your hearing assessment, particularly if it’s related to a medical disorder. But other plans may not. It’s a good idea to get all of this squared away before your appointment, so you’re more confident about what you can expect. We can also help you in certain situations. If not, you can speak to your insurance company directly.
6. Ask someone to come with you
There are some significant benefits to bringing a friend or relative with you to your hearing exam, though it’s not absolutely necessary. Among 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 go over a lot of info at your appointment. Later, after the appointment, you will have an easier time recalling all of the information we give you if someone else is there with you.
7. The results will come fairly quickly
It may be days or even weeks before you get the results of many medical diagnostics. But with a hearing exam, that’s not the situation. Just like the bubble-sheet tests that got fed through the scantron machine when you were in college, you get your results right away.
And better yet, we’ll help you understand what your results mean and how you can enhance your general hearing health. Perhaps that’s a hearing aid, maybe it’s some changes to your lifestyle, or some ear protection. You’ll know immediately either way.
So, you don’t have to cram for your hearing test. But it is helpful, mostly for you, to be prepared!