You completely spaced your hearing exam tomorrow, but that’s not very unusual, you’re really busy. Thankfully, you just got that reminder text from us, and you still have some time to prepare. So… what should you do?
You won’t have to stay up all night preparing for a hearing test like you did in school the night before a big exam. Preparing for a hearing test is more about thinking through your symptoms and making certain you’re not forgetting anything. Getting the most out of your time with us is what getting ready for your hearing test is really about.
Get prepared with these 7 tips!
1. Put together a list of your symptoms (and when they happen)
The symptoms of hearing impairment vary from person to person and at different times. Some symptoms might be more prominent than others. So, before you come in, it’s a good plan to start taking a few notes on when your hearing loss is most noticeable. Some things you can write down include:
- Was it hard to hear the television? How loud is the volume? And do you have a harder time hearing at night?
- Is talking on the phone difficult? Take note of times when understanding the person on the other end is harder.
- When you’re out in a crowded restaurant, do you struggle to keep up with conversations? If so, how often does that occur?
- Do you find yourself losing concentration during meetings at work? Does this tend to occur in the morning? All day?
We find this type of information very helpful. If you can, take note of the time and day these instances occurred. If you can’t, just note that they did happen.
2. Research hearing aids
How complete is your knowledge about hearing aids? It’s a relevant question because you don’t want to make any decisions influenced by what you think you know. An ideal opportunity to get some valid info is when we advise 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 determine what your preferences are.
3. Review your medical history
This is another moment when writing something down can help speed up the post-hearing-test-discussion. Before your appointment, you should take a little time to write down your medical history. Include major medical incidents and also minor ones. Here are some examples:
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Any medical equipment you use.
- Any history of sickness or health problems (you don’t have to note every cold, but anything that stands out).
- Allergies and reactions to medicines.
- Surgeries you’ve had, both major or minor.
4. Stay away from loud sounds and noisy settings
If you attend a loud rock concert the day before your hearing test, it’s going to impact the results The results will be similarly impacted if you go to an airshow the day of your exam. The point here is that you should avoid loud noises before you come in for your hearing exam. This will help ensure your results are accurate and reveal your current hearing health.
5. Consult your insurance in advance
The way that health insurance and hearing tests interact can be… perplexing. Some plans may cover your hearing exam, especially if it’s part of a medical condition. But other plans may not. It’s a good idea to get all of this squared away before your appointment, so you’re more confident about what you can expect. We can also help you in certain instances. If we can’t, you will have to speak directly with your insurance company.
6. Bring a friend or family member in with you
There are several significant benefits to bringing a friend or relative with you to your hearing exam, though it’s not entirely necessary. Here are some of the most prominent benefits:
- You don’t always detect when your hearing isn’t working right but it’s a good bet your spouse or partner does! This means that we will have access to even more information to help make a precise diagnosis or exam.
- You’re likely to go over a lot of information during your appointment. 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.
7. Be ready for your results
With many medical diagnostics, it might be days or weeks before you get your diagnosis. 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 immediately.
And better yet, we’ll help you understand what your results mean and how you can improve your general hearing health. Maybe that’s a hearing aid, maybe it’s some changes to your behavior, or some ear protection. Either way, you’ll know it right away.
So, you don’t have to cram for your hearing exam. But it is helpful, mostly for you, to be prepared!
