You’re a pretty busy person, so it’s reasonable that you completely forgot about the hearing exam you have scheduled for tomorrow. It’s a good thing we sent you a reminder text so you should have a few hours to prepare. So… what should you do?
Hearing exams aren’t like back in college or high school where you’d have to pull an all-nighter to study for a test. Preparing for a hearing exam is more about thinking over your symptoms and making sure 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.
Here are 7 simple ways to get prepped and ready!
1. List out all of your symptoms and when they manifest
Hearing loss doesn’t manifest 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 idea to begin taking a few notes on when your hearing loss is most noticeable. Some things you can list out include:
- When you’re out in a crowded restaurant, do you struggle to hear conversations? If so, how often does that happen?
- Was it hard to hear the television? Do you have it turned way up? And do you experience that it’s harder to hear at night than in the morning?
- Is talking on the phone difficult? Note times when hearing the person on the other end is harder.
- Do you find yourself losing concentration in meetings at work? What time during the day is this most prevalent?
We find this kind of information very useful. Note the day and time of these symptoms if you can. At least note the occurrence of the symptoms if you can’t record the times.
2. Do some research on hearing aids
How much do you really know about hearing aids? You don’t want to make any decisions based on false information you may have heard somewhere. An ideal time to get some accurate info is when we advise you that hearing aids would help you.
You will get better answers and the process will be accelerated when you know what types of hearing devices are available and understand what your preferences are.
3. Consider your medical past
This one will also help the process go smoother after your appointment. Write down your medical history before you come in for your assessment. Write down major medical incidents and also minor ones. Here are a few examples:
- Sickness or diseases you’ve experienced that stick out in your mind.
- Major or minor surgical procedures that you have undergone.
- Any medical apparatuses you use.
- Allergies and reactions to medications.
- What kind of medication you take.
4. Avoid loud sounds and noisy settings
If you have a hearing test scheduled and you go to a loud concert the night before, the results will be impacted. Likewise, if you go to an airshow the morning before your exam, the results will not be correct. The point here is that you should avoid loud noises before you come in for your hearing test. This will ensure the results are a correct reflection of the current health of your hearing.
5. Check with your insurance beforehand
The way that health insurance and hearing tests work together can be… bewildering. Some plans may cover your hearing test, particularly if it’s part of a medical condition. But not all plans will. It’s a good idea to get all of this figured out before your appointment, so you’re more confident about what you can look forward to. We can also help you in certain instances. If we can’t, you will need to speak directly with your insurance company.
6. Bring a family member or friend in with you
There are several considerable benefits to bringing a relative or friend with you to your hearing exam, though it’s not absolutely necessary. amongst the most notable benefits are the following:
- Even when you aren’t aware that you have hearing loss, people close to you will absolutely be aware of it. So our exam and diagnosis will be based on much deeper and more comprehensive information.
- When you’re at your exam, 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. The results will come fairly quickly
It might be days or even weeks before you get the results of many medical diagnostics. But with a hearing test, that’s not the case. With a hearing test, you will get the results immediately.
And what’s even better, we’ll show you how you can enhance your overall hearing health and walk you through what your results mean. That might mean using some ear protection or some behavioral changes or possibly hearing aids. Either way, you’ll know it right away.
So, you won’t need to cram for your hearing test. But it is helpful, mainly for you, to be prepared!
