You’re a fairly busy person, so it’s reasonable that you totally forgot about the hearing test you have scheduled for tomorrow. It’s a good thing we sent out a reminder text so you should have a few hours to prepare. So how should I 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. Getting the most out of your time with us is what preparing for your hearing exam is really about.
Get prepared with these 7 tips!
1. List out all of your symptoms and when you experience them
Hearing loss doesn’t present the same way for everyone all the time. Some symptoms may be more dominant than others. So take some notes on when your symptoms are most pronounced before your appointment. You can jot things down like:
- When you’re out in a busy restaurant, do you struggle to hear conversations? Does that occur frequently?
- Did you have a difficult time hearing the TV? Do you have it turned way up? And do you have a harder time hearing at night?
- Is talking on the phone difficult? Keep track of times when it’s more difficult to hear people than usual.
- During meetings at work, do you lose focus? What time during the day is this most prevalent?
We find this kind of information very useful. 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 much do you really know about hearing aids? It’s a relevant question because you don’t want to make any decisions influenced by what you presume. A good time to get some accurate info is when we inform you that hearing aids would benefit you.
Knowing what types of hearing devices are out there and what your preferences may be can help speed up the process and help you get better information.
3. Consider your medical past
This is another moment when writing things down can help quicken the post-hearing-test-discussion. Write down your medical history before you visit us for your assessment. This should include both major and minor situations. Here are a few examples:
- Operations you’ve undergone, both major or minor.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Any history of illness or health problems (you don’t have to note every cold, but anything that stands out).
- Medication interactions and allergies.
- Any medical apparatuses you use.
4. Loud noisy environments should be shunned
If you have a hearing assessment scheduled and you attend a loud concert the night before, the outcome will be impacted. Likewise, if you go to an airshow the morning before your test, the results will not be reliable. The point here is that you should avoid loud noises before you come in for your hearing exam. This will ensure the results are a reliable reflection of the current health of your hearing.
5. Consult your insurance beforehand
The way that health insurance and hearing tests interact can be… perplexing. If your hearing loss is related to a medical problem, some insurance plans will cover it. But not all plans will. 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 some cases. If not, you can speak to your insurance company directly.
6. Ask somebody to come in with you
Bringing a trusted friend or loved one with you to a hearing appointment isn’t strictly necessary, but it can offer numerous advantages. Here are some of the most notable benefits:
- You’re likely to go over 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 detect when your hearing isn’t working right but it’s a safe 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. Be ready for your results
It might be days or even weeks before you get the results of many medical diagnostics. But that’s not the case with a hearing exam. With a hearing test, you will get the results immediately.
And better yet, we’ll walk you through what your results mean and how you can enhance your overall hearing health. That might mean utilizing some ear protection or some lifestyle changes or possibly hearing aids. You’ll know rather quickly either way.
So you don’t have to overthink it. But being ready will be helpful, particularly for you.