You’re a fairly busy person, so it’s understandable that you totally forgot about the hearing exam you have scheduled for tomorrow. Thankfully, you just got that reminder text from us, and you still have some time to get ready. So what should I do to get ready?
Hearing tests aren’t like back in college or high school where you’d have to pull an all-nighter to study for an exam. With a hearing test, it’s more about trying to remember everything you need to know about your symptoms. In other words, preparing for your hearing exam is really about making certain you get as much out of your time with us as you can.
Here are 7 simple ways to get yourself prepped and ready!
1. Put together a list of your symptoms (and when they manifest)
Hearing loss doesn’t manifest the same way for everyone all the time. Some symptoms may be more dominant than others. So take a few notes on when your symptoms are most pronounced before your appointment. Some things you can list out include:
- Do you find yourself losing focus during meetings at work? What time during the day is this most prominent?
- Did you have a hard time hearing the TV? Do you have it turned way up? And do you have a harder time hearing at night?
- Did you have trouble making out a conversation while dining out in a packed restaurant? Does that happen a lot?
- Is it a challenge to have conversations on the phone? Note times when understanding the person on the other end is harder.
This kind of information is extremely useful for us. If you can, note the time and day these symptoms occurred. At least observe the occurrence of the symptoms if you can’t record the times.
2. Get some information about hearing aids
How much do you actually know about hearing aids? It’s an important question because you don’t want to make any decisions influenced by what you presume. A good opportunity to get some accurate info is when we inform you that hearing aids would benefit you.
Knowing what types of hearing devices are out there and what your preferences might be can help speed up the process and help you get better information.
3. Consider your medical past
This is another instance when writing things down can help hasten the post-hearing-test-discussion. Before you come in, you should take a little time to write down your medical history. This should include both major and minor situations. Here are a few examples:
- Allergies and reactions to medicines.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Illness or diseases you’ve had that stick out in your mind.
- Major or minor surgical procedures that you have had.
- Any medical apparatuses you use.
4. Loud noisy environments should be shunned
If you go to a booming rock concert the day before your hearing test, it’s going to skew the outcome. Similarly, if you go to an airshow the morning before your test, the results will not be correct. The point here is that you should avoid loud noises before you come in for your hearing exam. This will ensure the results are a correct reflection of the current health of your hearing.
5. Before your appointment, consult your insurance company
The way that health insurance and hearing tests interact can be… perplexing. If your hearing impairment is related to a medical problem, some insurance plans will cover it. But other plans might not. You will be a lot more confident at your appointment if you get this all squared away before you come in. We can also help you in some instances. Otherwise, you can talk to your insurance company directly.
6. Ask somebody to come 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. Here are some of the most prominent benefits:
- Even when you aren’t aware that you have hearing impairment, people close to you will certainly be aware of it. So our exam and diagnosis will be based on much deeper and more detailed information.
- When you’re at your exam, a lot of information will be covered. When you get home, after the appointment, you will have an easier time recalling all of the information we give you if somebody else is there with you.
7. Be prepared for your results
With many medical diagnostics, it could be days or weeks before you get your diagnosis. But that’s not the situation with a hearing exam. Just like the bubble-sheet tests that got fed through the scantron machine when you were in college, you get your results immediately.
And better yet, we’ll walk you through what your results mean and how you can enhance your general hearing health. That could mean utilizing some ear protection or some lifestyle changes or possibly hearing aids. Either way, you’ll know it right away.
So, you don’t have to cram for your hearing exam. But it is helpful, mainly for you, to be prepared!