You’re a really busy person, so it’s reasonable that you totally forgot about the hearing exam you have scheduled for tomorrow. It’s a good thing we sent you a reminder text so you should have a few hours to prepare. So what should I do to get ready?
You won’t have to stay up all night cramming for a hearing test like you did in school the night before a big exam. Preparing for a hearing exam is more about thinking over your symptoms and making sure you’re not forgetting anything. In other words, preparing for your hearing test is really about making certain you get as much out of your time with us as possible.
Get prepared with these 7 tips!
1. List out all of your symptoms and when you experience them
The symptoms of hearing impairment vary from person to person and at different times. There might be some symptoms that are obvious and others that are more discreet. So take some notes on when your symptoms are most noticeable before you come see us. You can jot things down like:
- Was it hard to hear the tv? Do you have it turned way up? And do you notice that it’s harder to hear at night than in the morning?
- Do you find yourself losing focus during meetings at work? Does this tend to occur in the morning? All day?
- Is talking on the phone difficult? Note times when understanding the person on the other end is more difficult.
- When you’re out in a crowded restaurant, do you strain to keep up with conversations? Does that happen frequently?
We find this kind of information very useful. Note the day and time of these symptoms if you can. At least observe the occurrence of the symptoms if you can’t remember the times.
2. Get some information about hearing aids
How much do you actually know about hearing aids? It’s a relevant question because you don’t want to make any decisions influenced by what you presume. If we tell you a hearing aid would be worthwhile, that’s would be the perfect time to ask informed questions.
Knowing what kinds of hearing devices are available and what your preferences may be can help speed up the process and help you get better information.
3. Consider your medical past
This one will also help the process go smoother after diagnosis. Before you come in, you should take a little time to write down your medical history. Write down major medical incidents and also minor ones. You should write down things like:
- Any medical equipment you use.
- Operations you’ve had, both major or minor.
- Sickness or diseases you’ve had that stand out in your mind.
- Allergies and reactions to medicines.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
4. Avoid loud noises and noisy settings
If you go to a loud rock concert the day before your hearing assessment, it’s going to affect the outcome. The results will be similarly skewed if you attend an airshow the day of your test. You can see where we’re going with this: you want to protect your ears from loud noises before your hearing exam. This will help ensure your results are accurate and reveal your current hearing health.
5. Consult your insurance beforehand
It can be somewhat challenging sorting out what portions of your appointment will be covered by insurance. Some plans might cover your hearing test, particularly if it’s related to a medical disorder. 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 look forward to. In some cases, you can work directly with us to get answers about insurance. Otherwise, you can talk to your insurance company directly.
6. Bring a family member or friend in with you
There are several important advantages to bringing a relative or friend with you to your hearing exam, though it’s not absolutely necessary. Among the most notable advantages are the following:
- You don’t always recognize when your hearing isn’t working right but it’s a good bet your spouse or partner does! This means that we will have access to even more information to help make a precise diagnosis or exam.
- When you’re at your exam, a lot of information will be discussed. When you get home, after the appointment, you will have an easier time recalling all of the information we give you if somebody else is there with you.
7. The results will come fairly quickly
With many medical diagnostics, it may be days or weeks before you get your diagnosis. But with a hearing test, that’s not the situation. With a hearing exam, you will get the results right away.
And even better, we’ll walk you through what your results mean and how you can improve your general hearing health. That might mean using some ear protection or some lifestyle changes or possibly hearing aids. Either way, you’ll know it right away.
So you don’t have to overthink it. But it is helpful, mostly for you, to be prepared!