You completely forgot your hearing exam tomorrow, but that’s not really unusual, you’ve been very busy. It’s a good thing we sent out a reminder text so you should have time to prepare. So… what should you do?
Hearing tests aren’t like back in college or high school where you’d have to pull an all-nighter to study for a test. With a hearing test, it’s more about trying to remember everything you need to know regarding your symptoms. Essentially, preparing for your hearing test is really about ensuring you get as much out of your time with us as you can.
Get prepared with these 7 tips!
1. Create a list of your symptoms (and when they occur)
Hearing loss doesn’t manifest the same way for everyone all the time. Some symptoms may be more pronounced 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 significant. Some things you can write down include:
- When you’re out in a busy restaurant, do you strain to hear conversations? Does that occur frequently?
- Is having phone conversations difficult? Take note of times when hearing the person on the other end is more difficult.
- Was it difficult to hear the tv? How loud is the volume? And do you experience that it’s more difficult to hear at night than in the morning?
- Do you find yourself losing concentration during meetings at work? Does this tend to occur in the morning? All day?
This kind of information is really useful for us. If you can, note the time and day these symptoms occurred. If you can’t, just remember that they did occur.
2. Research hearing aids
How complete is your knowledge about hearing aids? You don’t want to make any decisions based on false information you may have heard someplace. A good time to get some valid info is when we inform you that hearing aids would benefit 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. Think about your medical past
This is another moment when writing something down can help hasten the post-hearing-test-discussion. Write down your medical history before you visit us for your assessment. Include major medical incidents and also minor ones. Here are some examples:
- What kind of medication you take.
- Any history of sickness or disease (you don’t have to note every cold, but anything that stands out).
- Any medical apparatuses you use.
- Medication interactions and allergies.
- Major or minor surgeries that you have had.
4. Stay away from loud noises and noisy environments
If you attend a booming rock concert the night before your hearing test, it’s going to impact the outcome. The results will be similarly impacted if you attend an airshow the day of your exam. The point here is that you need to avoid loud noises before you come in for your hearing test. This will help ensure your results are reliable and reveal your current hearing health.
5. Talk to your insurance in advance
It can be a bit confusing sorting out what parts of your visit will be covered by insurance. Some plans might cover your hearing exam, especially if it’s related to a medical condition. But other plans might not. You will be a lot more confident at your appointment if you get this all figured out before you come in. We can also help you in certain situations. If not, you can speak to your insurance company directly.
6. Ask somebody to come with you
There are some important benefits to bringing a relative or friend with you to your hearing test, though it’s not absolutely necessary. Here are several of the most notable benefits:
- You’re likely to go over a lot of information at your exam. Having a trusted friend or family member with you can help you remember all of that information when you get home.
- You don’t always detect when your hearing isn’t functioning correctly but it’s a good bet your spouse or partner does! This means that we will have access to even more insight to help make a definitive diagnosis or exam.
7. Be ready for your results
It may be days or even weeks before you receive the results of many medical diagnostics. But with a hearing test, that’s not the case. With a hearing exam, you will get the results right away.
And what’s even better, we’ll show you how you can enhance your general hearing health and walk you through the meaning of your results. Perhaps that’s a hearing aid, maybe it’s some changes to your lifestyle, or some ear protection. You’ll know immediately either way.
So, you don’t need to cram for your hearing test. But it is helpful, mostly for you, to be prepared!