You’re a pretty busy person, so it’s understandable that you completely forgot about the hearing exam 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 you do?
You won’t need to stay up all night cramming for a hearing test like you did in school the night before a big exam. Getting ready for a hearing test is more about thinking over your symptoms and making sure you don’t forget anything. Getting the most out of your time with us is what preparing for your hearing exam is really about.
Here are 7 easy ways to get prepped and ready!
1. List out all of your symptoms and when they manifest
The symptoms of hearing loss vary from person to person and at different times. There may be some symptoms that are obvious and others that are more discreet. So, before you come in, it’s a good plan to start taking some notes on when your hearing loss is most noticeable. You can write things down like:
- Is talking on the phone difficult? Note times when understanding the person on the other end is harder.
- When you’re out in a crowded restaurant, do you strain to hear conversations? Does that occur frequently?
- During meetings at work, do you lose focus? Does this normally happen in the morning? All day?
- Was it hard to hear the television? Do you have it cranked way up? And do you notice that it’s more difficult to hear at night than in the morning?
We find this kind of information very useful. If you can, note the time and day these symptoms occurred. If you can’t, just remember that they did occur.
2. Do some research on hearing aids
How accurate is your knowledge about hearing aids? You don’t want to make any decisions based on false information you may have heard somewhere. A good time to get some valid info is when we inform you that hearing aids would help you.
You will get better answers and the process will be expedited when you know what types of hearing devices are available and understand what your preferences are.
3. Review your medical history
This one will also help the process go faster after your appointment. Before you come in, you should take some time to write down your medical history. Write down major medical occurrences and also minor ones. You should note things like:
- Operations you’ve undergone, both major or minor.
- Any medical apparatuses you use.
- Medication interactions and allergies.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Sickness or diseases you’ve experienced that stick out in your mind.
4. Loud noisy environments should be shunned
If you have a hearing exam scheduled and you attend a loud concert the night before, the outcome will be impacted. 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 test. This will ensure the results are a correct reflection of the current health of your hearing.
5. Consult your insurance beforehand
It can be somewhat challenging sorting out what parts of your appointment will be covered by insurance. Some plans may cover your hearing test, especially if it’s part of a medical disorder. 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 we can’t, you will have to speak directly with your insurance company.
6. Ask somebody to come in with you
Bringing a trusted friend or loved one with you to a hearing appointment isn’t absolutely necessary, but it can provide numerous advantages. Among the most notable advantages are the following:
- When you’re at your appointment, a lot of information will be discussed. When you get home, after the appointment, you will have an easier time remembering all of the information we give you if someone else is there with you.
- Even when you can’t tell that you have hearing impairment, people close to you will certainly be aware of it. So our exam and diagnosis will be based on much deeper and more detailed information.
7. Be ready for your results
With many medical diagnostics, it may be days or weeks before you get your diagnosis. But that’s not the case with a hearing test. Just like the bubble-sheet tests that were fed through the scantron machine when you were in college, you get your results immediately.
And better yet, we’ll walk you through what your results mean and how you can improve your overall hearing health. 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 need to cram for your hearing test. But it is helpful, mostly for you, to be prepared!