You’re a fairly 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 get ready. 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. Essentially, getting ready for your hearing test is really about ensuring 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 loss vary from person to person and at different times. There might be some symptoms that are apparent 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:
- Is it frustrating to carry on conversations on the phone? Note times when understanding the person on the other end is harder.
- Do you find yourself losing focus during meetings at work? What time during the day is this most prevalent?
- Did you have a hard time hearing the TV? How loud is the volume? And do you notice that it’s more difficult to hear later in the evening than in the morning?
- When you’re out in a crowded restaurant, do you strain to hear conversations? Does that happen frequently?
We find this type of information very helpful. Note the day and time of these symptoms if possible. If you can’t, just remember that they did happen.
2. Research 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 based on what you presume. A good time to get some valid info is when we inform you that hearing aids would help you.
You will get better information and the process will be expedited when you know what types of hearing devices are available and determine what your preferences are.
3. Consider your medical past
This one will also help the process go faster after diagnosis. Before your appointment, 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:
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Any history of sickness or health problems (you don’t need to note every cold, but anything that stands out).
- Major or minor surgical procedures that you have undergone.
- Medication interactions and allergies.
- Any medical equipment you use.
4. Loud noisy settings should be avoided
If you go to a booming rock concert the night before your hearing test, it’s going to skew the results Similarly, if you go to an airshow the morning before your exam, the results will not be correct. The point here is that you should avoid loud noises before you come in for your hearing test. This will help ensure your results are accurate and reflect your current hearing health.
5. Talk to your insurance ahead of time
The way that health insurance and hearing tests work together can be… bewildering. Some plans may cover your hearing assessment, particularly if it’s part of a medical condition. But other plans might not. 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 instances, you can work directly with us to get answers about insurance. If not, you can talk to your insurance company directly.
6. Ask someone to come with you
There are some considerable benefits to bringing a relative or friend with you to your hearing exam, though it’s not entirely necessary. amongst the most notable benefits are the following:
- Even when you can’t tell that you have hearing loss, people close to you will absolutely be aware of it. 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 info at your exam. Having a trusted friend or family member 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 exam. With a hearing test, you will get the results immediately.
And even better, we’ll walk you through what your results mean and how you can enhance your overall hearing health. That could mean using some hearing protection or some lifestyle changes or maybe hearing aids. You’ll know immediately either way.
So, you won’t need to cram for your hearing test. But it is helpful, mostly for you, to be prepared!
