You totally forgot your hearing exam tomorrow, but that’s not really surprising, you’ve been really busy. Luckily, you just received that reminder text from us, and you still have a few hours to get ready. So… what should you do?
You won’t need to stay up all night cramming for a hearing test like you did in school the night before a big exam. With a hearing test, it’s more about trying to remember everything you need to know about your symptoms. Getting the most out of your time with us is what getting ready for your hearing exam is really about.
Get prepared using these 7 tips!
1. Put together a list of your symptoms (and when they occur)
Hearing loss doesn’t manifest the same way for everyone all the time. Some symptoms might be more prominent than others. So take some notes on when your symptoms are most pronounced before you come see us. You can write things down like:
- Do you find yourself losing focus in meetings at work? What time during the day is this most prevalent?
- Did you have trouble following a conversation while eating out in a packed restaurant? If so, how frequently does that take place?
- Is it frustrating to carry on conversations on the phone? Monitor times when it’s more difficult to hear people than usual.
- Was it hard to hear the tv? How high is the volume? And do you have a more difficult time hearing at night?
This type of information is very useful for us. Take note of the day and time of these symptoms if possible. At least note the occurrence of the symptoms if you can’t record the times.
2. Get some info about hearing aids
How much do you actually know about hearing aids? You don’t want to make any decisions based on false information you may have picked up someplace. If we inform you a hearing aid would be beneficial, that’s would be a great time to ask educated questions.
Knowing what kinds of hearing devices are out there and what your preferences may be can help speed up the process and help you get better answers.
3. Consider your medical past
This one will also help the process go smoother after diagnosis. Write down your medical history before you visit us for your appointment. Write down major medical incidents and also minor ones. Here are a few examples:
- Allergies and reactions to medicines.
- Any history of sickness or health problems (you don’t need to note every cold, but anything that stands out).
- Any medical apparatuses you use.
- What kind of medication you take.
- Surgeries you’ve undergone, both major or minor.
4. Stay away from loud sounds and noisy settings
If you attend a loud rock concert the day before your hearing assessment, it’s going to skew the results The results will be similarly impacted if you attend an airshow the day of your exam. 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. Consult your insurance beforehand
The way that health insurance and hearing tests interact can be… perplexing. Some plans might cover your hearing test, especially if it’s part of a medical disorder. But other plans may not. You will be much more confident at your appointment if you get this all figured out before you come in. In some instances, 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 some considerable benefits to bringing a friend or relative with you to your hearing test, though it’s not absolutely necessary. Here are some of the most notable benefits:
- When you’re at your appointment, a lot of information will be discussed. Having a trusted friend or family member with you can help you remember all of that information when you get home.
- Even when you can’t tell that you have hearing impairment, people close to you will certainly be aware of it. So our exam and diagnosis will be determined by much deeper and more detailed information.
7. The results will come fairly quickly
With many medical diagnostics, it may be days or weeks before you get your diagnosis. But that’s not the case with a hearing test. Similar to the bubble-sheet tests that got fed through the scantron machine when you were in college, you get your results right away.
And what’s even better, we’ll show you how to improve your overall hearing health and help you understand what your results mean. Maybe that’s a hearing aid, maybe it’s some changes to your lifestyle, or some ear protection. Either way, you’ll know it right away.
So, you don’t have to cram for your hearing test. But being prepared will be helpful, especially for you.