You completely spaced your hearing test 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 how should I 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. Getting ready for a hearing exam 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 test is really about.
Get prepared with these 7 tips!
1. Put together a list of your symptoms (and when they occur)
Hearing loss doesn’t present the same way for everyone all the time. There may be some symptoms that are apparent and others that are more discreet. So, before you come in, it’s a good plan to begin taking a few notes on when your hearing loss is most noticeable. Some things you can list out include:
- Is talking on the phone difficult? Record times when it’s harder to understand people than usual.
- Do you find yourself losing focus during meetings at work? What time during the day is this most prominent?
- Was it difficult to hear the tv? How loud is the volume? And do you have a harder time hearing at night?
- When you’re out in a crowded restaurant, do you struggle to keep up with conversations? Does that happen a lot?
We find this kind of information very helpful. If you can, take note of the time and day these symptoms occurred. At least note the occurrence of the symptoms if you can’t record the times.
2. Get some information about hearing aids
How accurate 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 tell you a hearing aid would be beneficial, that’s going to be an ideal time to ask informed questions.
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. Review your medical history
This is another moment when writing things down can help speed up the post-hearing-test-conversation. Write down your medical history before you come in for your appointment. Include major medical incidents and also minor ones. You should note things like:
- Medication interactions and allergies.
- Any medical equipment you use.
- Surgeries you’ve undergone, both major or minor.
- Any history of sickness or disease (you don’t have to note every cold, but anything that sticks out).
- What kind of medication you take.
4. Loud noisy settings should be avoided
If you go to a booming rock concert the night before your hearing test, it’s going to affect the outcome. Similarly, if you check-out an airshow the morning before your exam, the results will not be reliable. The point here is that you should steer clear of 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. Check with your insurance beforehand
The way that health insurance and hearing tests work together can be… bewildering. If your hearing impairment is related to a medical condition, some insurance plans will cover it. But other plans may not. It’s a good plan to get all of this figured out before your appointment, so you’re more confident about what you can expect. In some cases, you can work directly with us to get answers about insurance. If we can’t, you will have to speak directly with your insurance company.
6. Ask somebody to come in with you
There are several important advantages to bringing a relative or friend with you to your hearing test, though it’s not entirely necessary. Here are several of the most prominent advantages:
- 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 a definitive diagnosis or exam.
- When you’re at your appointment, a lot of information will be covered. Having a dependable friend or family member with you can help you remember all of that information later.
7. Be prepared for your results
With many medical diagnostics, it could be days or weeks before you get your results. But that’s not the case with a hearing exam. With a hearing test, you will get the results right away.
And better yet, we’ll help you understand what your results mean and how you can enhance your general hearing health. Perhaps 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 overthink it. But it is helpful, mostly for you, to be prepared!