You’re a really busy person, so it’s reasonable that you completely forgot about the hearing test you have scheduled for tomorrow. It’s a good thing we sent you a reminder text so you should have time to prepare. So… what should you do?
You won’t have to stay awake all night preparing for a hearing test like you did in school the night before a big exam. Getting ready for a hearing exam is more about thinking through your symptoms and making certain you don’t forget anything. Essentially, getting ready for your hearing exam is really about making sure you get as much out of your time with us as you can.
Get prepared with these 7 tips!
1. Put together a list of your symptoms (and when they occur)
The symptoms of hearing loss differ from person to person and at different times. Some symptoms might be more pronounced than others. So take some notes on when your symptoms are most pronounced before you come see us. Some things you can list out include:
- When you’re in meetings at work, do you lose focus? Does this normally happen in the morning? All day?
- Did you have trouble making out a conversation while dining out in a packed restaurant? If so, how often does that occur?
- Is it a challenge to carry on conversations on the phone? Take note of times when hearing the person on the other end is more difficult.
- Was it difficult to hear the tv? Do you have it turned way up? And do you notice that it’s more difficult 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 day these instances occurred. At least observe the occurrence of the symptoms if you can’t record the times.
2. Research hearing aids
How much do you actually know about hearing aids? You don’t want to make any decisions based on false information you might have heard somewhere. If we inform you a hearing aid would be beneficial, that’s going to be the perfect moment to ask informed questions.
Knowing what kinds of hearing devices are out there and what your preferences may be can help speed along the process and help you get better answers.
3. Consider your medical past
This is another instance when writing things down can help speed up the post-hearing-test-conversation. Before you come in, you should take some time to jot down your medical history. This should consist of both major and minor incidents. Here are a few examples:
- Medication interactions and allergies.
- Sickness or diseases you’ve had that stick out in your mind.
- Any medical equipment you use.
- Major or minor surgical procedures that you have undergone.
- What kind of medication you take.
4. Avoid loud noises and noisy environments
If you attend a booming rock concert the day before your hearing test, it’s going to impact the outcome. Likewise, if you go to an airshow the morning before your exam, the results will not be correct. The point here is that you need to steer clear of loud noises before you come in for your hearing test. This will help ensure your results are accurate and reveal your current hearing health.
5. Check with your insurance in advance
It can be a bit confusing sorting out what portions of your appointment will be covered by insurance. Some plans may cover your hearing test, especially if it’s related to a medical condition. But not all plans will. It’s a good idea to get all of this figured out before your appointment, so you’re more confident about what you can expect. In some situations, you can work directly with us to get answers about insurance. If not, you can talk to your insurance company directly.
6. Bring a friend or family member in with you
There are several important advantages to bringing a friend or relative with you to your hearing exam, though it’s not absolutely necessary. Here are several of the most prominent advantages:
- You’re likely to cover a lot of info during your exam. Having a dependable friend or family member with you can help you remember all of that information later.
- You don’t always recognize when your hearing isn’t functioning correctly but it’s a good bet your spouse or partner does! 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
With many medical diagnostics, it might be days or weeks before you get your diagnosis. But with a hearing exam, that’s not the case. With a hearing test, you will get the results immediately.
And what’s even better, we’ll show you how you can improve your general hearing health and help you understand the meaning of your results. That might mean utilizing some hearing protection or some lifestyle changes or maybe hearing aids. You’ll know immediately either way.
So, you don’t need to cram for your hearing exam. But it is helpful, mostly for you, to be prepared!