You’re a really busy person, so it’s understandable that you totally forgot about the hearing test you have scheduled for tomorrow. Thankfully, you just received that reminder text from us, and you still have a few hours to prepare. So… what should you do?
Hearing tests aren’t like back in college or high school where you’d have to stay up all night to study for a test. Getting ready for a hearing exam is more about thinking over your symptoms and making certain you’re not forgetting anything. In other words, preparing for your hearing exam is really about ensuring you get as much out of your time with us as possible.
Here are 7 simple ways to get yourself prepped and ready!
1. Make a list of your symptoms (and when they happen)
Hearing loss doesn’t present the same way for everyone all the time. There might be some symptoms that are apparent and others that are more discreet. So take some notes on when your symptoms are most noticeable before your appointment. Some things you can write down include:
- Is having phone conversations difficult? Note times when hearing the person on the other end is more difficult.
- Did you have a difficult time hearing the TV? How high is the volume? And do you have a more difficult time hearing at night?
- When you’re out in a busy restaurant, do you strain to keep up with conversations? If so, how frequently does that take place?
- Do you find yourself losing concentration in meetings at work? What time during the day is this most prominent?
This kind of information is very useful for us. If you can, note the time and date these symptoms occurred. At least note the occurrence of the symptoms if you can’t remember the times.
2. Do some research on hearing aids
How much do you really know about hearing aids? You don’t want to make any decisions founded on false information you might have heard somewhere. If we inform you a hearing aid would be helpful, that’s would be the perfect moment to ask informed questions.
You will get better information and the process will be accelerated when you know what kinds of hearing devices are available and determine what your preferences are.
3. Review your medical history
This is another instance when writing things down can help speed up the post-hearing-test-discussion. Write down your medical history before you visit us for your appointment. Write down major medical incidents and also minor ones. You should write down things like:
- Major or minor surgeries that you have undergone.
- Allergies and reactions to medications.
- Medical devices you might currently be using.
- Illness or diseases you’ve experienced that stand out in your mind.
- What kind of medication you take.
4. Stay away from loud noises and noisy settings
If you attend a booming rock concert the day before your hearing assessment, it’s going to affect the outcome. Likewise, if you go to an airshow the morning before your test, the results will not be correct. The point here is that you should avoid loud noises before you come in for your hearing exam. This will help ensure your results are accurate and reflect your current hearing health.
5. Before you come in, consult your insurance company
The way that health insurance and hearing tests interact can be… perplexing. Some plans might cover your hearing test, especially if it’s part of a medical disorder. But other plans may not. It’s a good idea to get all of this figured out before your appointment, so you’re more confident about what you can look forward to. We can also help you in some situations. Otherwise, you can speak to your insurance company directly.
6. Ask somebody to come in with you
There are some important advantages to bringing a friend or relative with you to your hearing exam, though it’s not entirely necessary. Here are some of the most prominent advantages:
- 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.
- You’re likely to go over a lot of information during your appointment. Having a trusted friend or family member with you can help you remember all of that information later.
7. Be ready for your results
With many medical diagnostics, it might be days or weeks before you get your diagnosis. But with a hearing test, that’s not the situation. Just like the bubble-sheet tests that were fed through the scantron machine when you were in college, you get your results immediately.
And even better, we’ll walk you through what your results mean and how you can enhance your general hearing health. That could mean utilizing some hearing protection or some behavioral changes or perhaps hearing aids. Either way, you’ll know it immediately.
So, you don’t need to cram for your hearing exam. But it is helpful, mainly for you, to be prepared!