You completely spaced your hearing test tomorrow, but that’s not really surprising, you’re really busy. It’s a good thing we sent out a reminder text so you should have time to prepare. So what should I do to get ready?
You won’t need to stay up all night preparing for a hearing test like you did in school the night before a big exam. With a hearing test, it’s more about attempting to remember everything you need to know regarding your symptoms. Essentially, preparing for your hearing exam is really about making certain you get as much out of your time with us as you can.
Here are 7 simple ways to get yourself prepped and ready!
1. Create a list of your symptoms (and when they occur)
The symptoms of hearing loss vary from person to person and at different times. Some symptoms may be more pronounced than others. So take some notes on when your symptoms are most noticeable before you come see us. You can jot things down like:
- When you’re out in a busy restaurant, do you struggle to hear conversations? If so, how frequently does that occur?
- Did you have a difficult time hearing the TV? Do you have it cranked way up? And do you experience that it’s harder to hear later in the evening than in the morning?
- During meetings at work, do you lose focus? Does this normally occur in the morning? All day?
- Is talking on the phone difficult? Take note of times when hearing the person on the other end is more difficult.
We find this kind of information very useful. Take note of the day and time of these symptoms if you can. If you can’t, just remember that they did happen.
2. Research 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 presume. A good opportunity 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. Go over your medical history
This one will also help the process go smoother after diagnosis. Write down your medical history before you come in for your appointment. Include major medical occurrences and also minor ones. You should note things like:
- Allergies and reactions to medications.
- Surgeries you’ve had, both major or minor.
- Medical equipment you might currently be using.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Sickness or diseases you’ve experienced that stick out in your mind.
4. Loud noisy environments should be avoided
If you have a hearing test scheduled and you go to a loud concert the night before, the outcome will be impacted. The results will be similarly skewed if you attend an airshow the day of your exam. You can see where we’re going with this: you want to protect your ears from loud noises before your hearing exam. This will ensure the results are a correct reflection of the current health of your hearing.
5. Before you come in, talk to your insurance company
It can be a bit confusing sorting out what parts of your visit will be covered by insurance. If your hearing impairment is part of a medical problem, some insurance plans will cover it. 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 look forward to. In some cases, you can work directly with us to get insurance answers. If not, you can speak to your insurance company directly.
6. Bring a friend or family member in with you
Bringing a loved one or trusted friend with you to a hearing appointment isn’t strictly necessary, but it can present numerous benefits. Here are some of the most prominent advantages:
- You’re likely to cover a lot of info during your exam. Having a trusted friend or family member with you can help you remember all of that information later.
- Even when you aren’t aware that you have hearing loss, people close to you will certainly be aware of it. So our exam and diagnosis will be based on much deeper and more detailed information.
7. Be prepared for your results
With many medical diagnostics, it may be days or weeks before you get your results. But with a hearing test, that’s not the case. With a hearing exam, you will get the results immediately.
And what’s even better, we’ll show you how you can enhance your overall hearing health and walk you through what your results mean. Perhaps that’s a hearing aid, maybe it’s some changes to your lifestyle, or some ear protection. You’ll know rather quickly either way.
So, you don’t have to cram for your hearing exam. But being prepared will be helpful, particularly for you.