You totally forgot your hearing test tomorrow, but that’s not really unusual, you’ve been really busy. Luckily, you just received that reminder text from us, and you still 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. With a hearing exam, it’s more about trying to remember everything you need to know about your symptoms. Getting the most out of your time with us is what getting ready 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 everybody all the time. There may be some symptoms that are apparent and others that are more discreet. So take some notes on when your symptoms are most noticeable before you come see us. Some things you can list out include:
- Is talking on the phone difficult? Monitor times when it’s more difficult to understand people than usual.
- Do you find yourself losing concentration during meetings at work? Does this tend to occur in the morning? All day?
- Did you have trouble following a conversation while eating out in a packed restaurant? Does that happen a lot?
- Was it difficult to hear the television? Do you have it cranked way up? And do you have a more difficult time hearing at night?
We find this kind of information very useful. If you can, note the time and day these instances occurred. At least note the occurrence of the symptoms if you can’t remember the times.
2. Get some info about hearing aids
How accurate is your knowledge about hearing aids? You don’t want to make any decisions founded on false information you may have picked up someplace. A good time to get some accurate info is when we inform you that hearing aids would help you.
You will get better answers and the process will be accelerated when you know what kinds 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 your appointment. Before your appointment, you should take a little time to jot down your medical history. Write down major medical incidents and also minor ones. Here are a few examples:
- Any medical apparatuses you use.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Medication interactions and allergies.
- Any history of illness or disease (you don’t have to note every cold, but anything that stands out).
- Surgeries you’ve had, both major or minor.
4. Avoid loud noises and noisy settings
If you have a hearing assessment scheduled and you go to a loud concert the night before, the outcome will be skewed. The results will be similarly skewed if you attend an airshow the day of your exam. You can see where we’re going with this: you want to safeguard your ears from loud noises before your hearing test. This will help ensure your results are accurate and reflect your current hearing health.
5. Before you come in, talk to your insurance company
The way that health insurance and hearing tests interact can be… confusing. If your hearing impairment is part of a medical condition, some insurance plans will cover it. But other plans may not. You will be a great deal more confident at your appointment if you get this all squared away before you come in. We can also help you in some situations. Otherwise, you can speak to your insurance company directly.
6. Bring a friend or family member in with you
Bringing a loved one or trusted friend with you to a hearing appointment isn’t strictly necessary, but it can offer several advantages. amongst the most notable benefits are the following:
- You don’t always detect when your hearing isn’t functioning correctly but it’s a safe bet your spouse or partner does! So our exam and diagnosis will be based on much deeper and more comprehensive information.
- When you’re at your appointment, a lot of information will be discussed. 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 may be days or even weeks before you get the results of many medical diagnostics. But that’s not the case with a hearing exam. 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 better yet, we’ll walk you through what your results mean and how you can improve your general hearing health. That might mean utilizing some ear protection or some lifestyle changes or perhaps 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!
