You completely forgot your hearing test tomorrow, but that’s not very surprising, you’re very busy. It’s a good thing we sent you a reminder text so you should have time to prepare. So what should I do to get ready?
Hearing exams aren’t like those days in college or high school where you’d have to pull an all-nighter to study for an exam. With a hearing test, it’s more about attempting to remember everything you need to know regarding your symptoms. Getting the most out of your time with us is what getting ready for your hearing exam is really about.
Get prepared using these 7 tips!
1. Make a list of your symptoms (and when they manifest)
The symptoms of hearing loss differ from person to person and at different times. Some symptoms might be more prominent than others. So take a few notes on when your symptoms are most pronounced before your appointment. You can jot things down like:
- Did you have a hard time hearing the TV? How high is the volume? And do you experience that it’s harder to hear at night than in the morning?
- When you’re in meetings at work, do you lose focus? What time during the day is this most prominent?
- Is talking on the phone difficult? Monitor times when it’s harder to hear people than usual.
- When you’re out in a busy restaurant, do you struggle to hear conversations? If so, how often does that take place?
This kind of information is really useful for us. Note the day and time of these symptoms if possible. At least observe the occurrence of the symptoms if you can’t record the times.
2. Research hearing aids
How accurate is your knowledge about hearing aids? You don’t want to make any decisions founded on false information you may have picked up someplace. If we inform you a hearing aid would be beneficial, that’s going to be a great time to ask educated questions.
You will get better answers and the process will be accelerated when you know what types of hearing devices are available and understand what your preferences are.
3. Review your medical history
This is another time when writing something down can help hasten the post-hearing-test-conversation. Write down your medical history before you come in for your exam. Include major medical incidents and also minor ones. You should note things like:
- Medical devices you might currently be using.
- Major or minor surgeries that you have had.
- Allergies and reactions to medications.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Sickness or diseases you’ve experienced that stick out in your mind.
4. Stay away from loud sounds and noisy environments
If you have a hearing assessment scheduled and you attend a loud concert the night before, the results will be skewed. Similarly, if you check-out an airshow the morning before your test, the results will not be reliable. You can see where we’re going with this: you want to safeguard your ears from loud noises before your hearing test. This will help ensure your results are reliable and reveal your current hearing health.
5. Talk to your insurance beforehand
The way that health insurance and hearing tests work together can be… confusing. Some plans might cover your hearing exam, especially if it’s related to a medical disorder. But not all plans will. It’s a good plan 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 some situations. If we can’t, you will have to speak directly with your insurance company.
6. Ask somebody to come in with you
Bringing a trusted friend or loved one with you to a hearing appointment isn’t absolutely necessary, but it can provide numerous advantages. Among the most prominent benefits are the following:
- When you’re at your exam, a lot of information will be discussed. Having a dependable friend or family member with you can help you remember all of that information later.
- Even when you can’t tell that you have hearing impairment, people close to you will certainly be aware of it. This means that we will have access to even more insight to help make a precise diagnosis or exam.
7. The results will come fairly quickly
It could be days or even weeks before you receive the results of many medical diagnostics. But that’s not the situation with a hearing exam. With a hearing exam, you will get the results immediately.
And what’s even better, we’ll show you how to enhance your overall hearing health and help you understand the meaning of your results. Maybe that’s a hearing aid, maybe it’s some changes to your lifestyle, or some hearing protection. You’ll know immediately either way.
So there’s no need to overthink it. But being prepared will be helpful, particularly for you.
