You’re a really busy person, so it’s understandable that you completely forgot about the hearing test you have scheduled for tomorrow. Luckily, you just received that reminder text from us, and you still have some time to get ready. So what should I do to get ready?
You won’t need to stay awake all night cramming 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 sure you don’t forget anything. Essentially, preparing 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 manifest)
Hearing loss doesn’t manifest the same way for everybody all the time. Some symptoms may be more prominent than others. So, before your appointment, it’s a good idea to start taking a few notes on when your hearing loss is most pronounced. You can jot things down like:
- Was it difficult to hear the television? How high is the volume? And do you have a more difficult time hearing at night?
- Is talking on the phone difficult? Keep track of times when it’s more difficult to hear people than usual.
- Do you find yourself losing concentration in meetings at work? What time during the day is this most prominent?
- Did you have difficulty making out a conversation while dining out in a crowded restaurant? Does that happen a lot?
We find this type of information very helpful. If you can, note 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 based on what you think you know. If we inform you a hearing aid would be worthwhile, that’s going to be a great moment to ask informed questions.
Knowing what types of hearing devices are available and what your preferences might be can help speed up the process and help you get better information.
3. Review your medical history
This is another instance when writing things down can help speed up the post-hearing-test-discussion. Write down your medical history before you come in for your assessment. Include major medical incidents and also minor ones. You should note things like:
- Major or minor surgeries that you have had.
- Any medical equipment you use.
- Medication interactions and allergies.
- Sickness or diseases you’ve experienced that stand out in your mind.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
4. Loud noisy environments should be avoided
If you have a hearing test scheduled and you attend a loud concert the night before, the outcome will be impacted. Likewise, if you check-out an airshow the morning before your test, the results will not be correct. 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 reliable and reveal your current hearing health.
5. Talk to your insurance ahead of time
It can be a bit challenging sorting out what portions of your visit will be covered by insurance. Some plans may cover your hearing exam, especially if it’s part of a medical condition. But not all plans will. You will be a great deal more confident at your appointment if you get this all squared away before you come in. We can also help you in some instances. If we can’t, you will need to speak directly with your insurance company.
6. Bring a friend or family member 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. amongst the most notable advantages are the following:
- You don’t always know when your hearing isn’t working right but it’s a safe bet your spouse or partner does! This means that we will have access to even more information to help make an accurate diagnosis or exam.
- When you’re at your appointment, a lot of information will be discussed. Having a dependable friend or family member with you can help you remember all of that information when you get home.
7. Be prepared for your results
With many medical diagnostics, it could be days or weeks before you get your diagnosis. But with a hearing exam, that’s not the case. Similar to the bubble-sheet tests that were fed through the scantron machine when you were in college, you get your results immediately.
And even better, we’ll walk you through 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 immediately.
So, you don’t have to cram for your hearing exam. But it is helpful, mainly for you, to be prepared!
