You’re a really busy person, so it’s reasonable that you completely forgot about the hearing test you have scheduled for tomorrow. It’s a good thing we sent out a reminder text so you should have time to prepare. So what should I do to get ready?
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 exam, it’s more about trying to remember everything you need to know about your symptoms. In other words, getting ready for your hearing test is really about ensuring you get as much out of your time with us as you can.
Here are 7 easy ways to get yourself prepped and ready!
1. Create a list of your symptoms (and when they occur)
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 noticeable before you come see us. Some things you can list out include:
- When you’re in meetings at work, do you lose focus? What time during the day is this most prominent?
- Did you have a difficult time hearing the TV? How loud is the volume? And do you notice that it’s harder to hear later in the evening than in the morning?
- When you’re out in a crowded restaurant, do you strain to hear conversations? If so, how frequently does that happen?
- Is talking on the phone difficult? Note times when understanding the person on the other end is more difficult.
This kind of information is very useful for us. Take note of the day and time of these symptoms if you can. At least note the occurrence of the symptoms if you can’t record the times.
2. Get some information about hearing aids
How much do you actually know about hearing aids? It’s an important question because you don’t want to make any decisions influenced by what you think you know. If we tell you a hearing aid would be worthwhile, that’s would be a great moment to ask educated questions.
You will get better information and the process will be expedited when you know what kinds of hearing devices are available and determine what your preferences are.
3. Think about your medical past
This is another time when writing something down can help hasten the post-hearing-test-conversation. Before you come in, you should take a little time to write down your medical history. This should include both major and minor situations. Here are a few examples:
- Medication interactions and allergies.
- Surgeries you’ve had, both major or minor.
- Any medical apparatuses you use.
- Any history of illness or disease (you don’t need to note every cold, but anything that stands out).
- Medications you’re currently taking.
4. Stay away from loud sounds and noisy settings
If you attend a booming rock concert the day before your hearing assessment, it’s going to affect the outcome. The results will be similarly impacted if you go to 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 ensure the results are an accurate reflection of the current state of your hearing.
5. Before you come in, consult your insurance company
The way that health insurance and hearing tests interact can be… perplexing. If your hearing impairment is related to a medical problem, some insurance plans will cover it. But other plans may not. You will be far more confident at your appointment if you get this all figured out before you come in. In some instances, you can work directly with us to get insurance answers. If not, you can speak to your insurance company directly.
6. Ask somebody to come in with you
Bringing a loved one or trusted friend with you to a hearing appointment isn’t absolutely necessary, but it can present several benefits. amongst the most prominent benefits are the following:
- When you’re at your appointment, a lot of information will be covered. Having a dependable friend or family member with you can help you remember all of that information later.
- Even when you can’t tell that you have hearing loss, people close to you will certainly be aware of it. So our exam and diagnosis will be based on much deeper and more comprehensive information.
7. Be ready for your results
With many medical diagnostics, it may be days or weeks before you get your diagnosis. But with a hearing test, that’s not the case. With a hearing test, you will get the results immediately.
And what’s even better, we’ll show you how to improve your overall hearing health and help you understand the meaning of your results. That might mean using some hearing protection or some lifestyle changes or possibly hearing aids. You’ll know rather quickly either way.
So there’s no need to overthink it. But it is helpful, mainly for you, to be prepared!
