You’re a really busy person, so it’s reasonable 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 some time to get ready. So how should I get ready?
Hearing exams aren’t like those days in college or high school where you’d have to pull an all-nighter to study for an exam. Getting ready for a hearing test is more about thinking over your symptoms and making certain you don’t forget anything. Getting the most out of your time with us is what getting ready for your hearing exam is really about.
Here are 7 easy ways to get prepped and ready!
1. Create a list of your symptoms (and when they manifest)
Hearing loss doesn’t manifest the same way for everybody all the time. Some symptoms might be more pronounced than others. So, before you come in, it’s a good idea to begin taking a few notes on when your hearing loss is most pronounced. You can write things down like:
- Did you have a hard time hearing the TV? How loud is the volume? And do you experience that it’s more difficult to hear at night than in the morning?
- When you’re out in a busy restaurant, do you strain to hear conversations? If so, how often does that happen?
- Is talking on the phone difficult? Take note of times when hearing the person on the other end is harder.
- During meetings at work, do you lose focus? What time during the day is this most prevalent?
This type of information is really useful for us. Note the day and time of these symptoms if you can. At least observe the occurrence of the symptoms if you can’t record 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 might have picked up someplace. A good time to get some accurate info is when we inform you that hearing aids would benefit you.
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. Consider your medical past
This one will also help the process go smoother after your appointment. Before your appointment, you should take some time to write down your medical history. This should consist of both major and minor incidents. You should note things like:
- What kind of medication you take.
- Illness or diseases you’ve experienced that stand out in your mind.
- Operations you’ve undergone, both major or minor.
- Medical devices you might presently be using.
- Medication interactions and allergies.
4. Stay away from loud sounds and noisy environments
If you attend a loud rock concert the day before your hearing assessment, it’s going to impact the outcome. The results will be similarly impacted if you attend an airshow the day of your test. You can see where we’re going with this: you want to safeguard your ears from loud noises before your hearing assessment. This will help ensure your results are accurate and reveal your current hearing health.
5. Talk to your insurance in advance
It can be somewhat challenging sorting out what portions of your appointment will be covered by insurance. If your hearing loss is part of a medical problem, some insurance plans will cover it. But other plans may not. You will be a lot more confident at your appointment if you get this all squared away before you come in. In some instances, you can work directly with us to get insurance answers. Otherwise, you can speak to your insurance company directly.
6. Bring a friend or family member in with you
There are some considerable advantages to bringing a friend or relative with you to your hearing exam, though it’s not absolutely necessary. Here are several of the most prominent benefits:
- You don’t always detect when your hearing isn’t functioning correctly but it’s a good bet your spouse or partner does! So our exam and diagnosis will be determined by much deeper and more comprehensive information.
- When you’re at your appointment, a lot of information will be discussed. Later, after the appointment, you will have an easier time recalling all of the information we give you if somebody else is there with you.
7. The results will come fairly quickly
It may be days or even weeks before you receive the results of many medical diagnostics. But with a hearing exam, that’s not the situation. With a hearing exam, you will get the results immediately.
And even better, 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. You’ll know immediately either way.
So, you won’t have to cram for your hearing exam. But it is helpful, mainly for you, to be prepared!
