You completely spaced your hearing test tomorrow, but that’s not very surprising, you’re very busy. Thankfully, you just got that reminder text from us, and you still have some time to get ready. So… what should you do?
Hearing exams aren’t like back in college or high school where you’d have to pull an all-nighter to study for an exam. With a hearing test, it’s more about trying to remember everything you need to know regarding your symptoms. In other words, preparing for your hearing test is really about making sure you get as much out of your time with us as possible.
Get prepared using these 7 tips!
1. List out all of your symptoms and when you experience them
The symptoms of hearing loss vary from person to person and at different times. There might be some symptoms that are obvious and others that are more subtle. So take a few notes on when your symptoms are most pronounced before your appointment. You can write things down like:
- Do you find yourself losing focus during meetings at work? Does this normally occur in the morning? All day?
- Was it hard to hear the television? How loud is the volume? And do you have a more difficult time hearing at night?
- Is it frustrating to carry on conversations on the phone? Note times when understanding the person on the other end is harder.
- When you’re out in a busy restaurant, do you strain to keep up with conversations? Does that occur frequently?
We find this type of information very helpful. If you can, take note of the time and day these symptoms occurred. At least note the occurrence of the symptoms if you can’t record the times.
2. Research hearing aids
How complete is your knowledge about hearing aids? You don’t want to make any decisions founded on false information you might have heard someplace. If we tell you a hearing aid would be beneficial, that’s going to be the perfect opportunity to ask informed questions.
Knowing what types of hearing devices are available and what your preferences might be can help speed up the process and help you get better information.
3. Go over your medical history
This one will also help the process go faster after your appointment. Before your appointment, you should take a little time to write down your medical history. This should include both major and minor incidents. Here are some examples:
- Major or minor surgical procedures that you have undergone.
- What kind of medication you take.
- Any history of sickness or health problems (you don’t have to note every cold, but anything that stands out).
- Allergies and reactions to medications.
- Any medical equipment you use.
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 results will be skewed. The results will be similarly impacted if you go to an airshow the day of your exam. The point here is that you need to avoid loud noises before you come in for your hearing test. This will help ensure your results are reliable and reflect your current hearing health.
5. Before your appointment, consult your insurance company
It can be somewhat challenging sorting out what portions of your appointment will be covered by insurance. If your hearing impairment is related to a medical problem, some insurance plans will cover it. But not all plans will. You will be much more confident at your appointment if you get this all squared away before you come in. We can also help you in certain situations. If not, you can speak to your insurance company directly.
6. Ask someone to come with you
There are some important advantages to bringing a relative or friend with you to your hearing test, though it’s not absolutely necessary. Among the most notable benefits are the following:
- You don’t always recognize 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 an accurate diagnosis or exam.
- You’re likely to go over a lot of information during your exam. Having a dependable friend or loved one with you can help you remember all of that information later.
7. Be ready for your results
It could be days or even weeks before you get the results of many medical diagnostics. But that’s not the case with a hearing test. Just like the bubble-sheet tests that got fed through the scantron machine when you were in college, you get your results right away.
And what’s even better, we’ll show you how you can enhance your overall hearing health and walk you through the meaning of your results. Maybe that’s a hearing aid, maybe it’s some changes to your behavior, or some ear protection. You’ll know immediately either way.
So, you won’t have to cram for your hearing exam. But being prepared will be helpful, particularly for you.
