You completely forgot your hearing test tomorrow, but that’s not really unusual, you’ve been really busy. Thankfully, you just got that reminder text from us, and you still have some time to prepare. So… what should you do?
Hearing exams aren’t like those days in college or high school where you’d have to stay up all night to study for a test. With a hearing test, it’s more about attempting to remember everything you need to know regarding your symptoms. 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 yourself prepped and ready!
1. Put together a list of your symptoms (and when they happen)
Hearing loss doesn’t present the same way for everybody all the time. There might be some symptoms that are obvious and others that are more discreet. So take some notes on when your symptoms are most pronounced before you come see us. You can write things down like:
- Did you have a hard time hearing the TV? Do you have it cranked way up? And do you have a more difficult time hearing at night?
- Did you have issues following a conversation while dining out in a busy restaurant? If so, how frequently does that take place?
- Do you find yourself losing focus during meetings at work? What time during the day is this most prevalent?
- Is it challenging to carry on conversations on the phone? Record times when it’s harder to hear people than usual.
We find this type of information very useful. Take note of the day and time of these symptoms if you can. At least observe the occurrence of the symptoms if you can’t record the times.
2. Research hearing aids
How complete is your knowledge about hearing aids? You don’t want to make any decisions based on false information you may have heard someplace. A good time to get some valid info is when we advise 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 along the process and help you get better answers.
3. Think about 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 exam. This should include both major and minor situations. Here are some examples:
- Major or minor surgeries that you have undergone.
- Any history of illness or disease (you don’t need to note every cold, but anything that sticks out).
- Any medical equipment you use.
- Medication interactions and allergies.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
4. Loud noisy environments should be shunned
If you go to a loud rock concert the night before your hearing assessment, it’s going to affect the outcome. The results will be similarly impacted if you go to an airshow the day of your exam. You can see where we’re going with this: you want to safeguard your ears from loud noises before your hearing assessment. This will ensure the results are a reliable reflection of the current health of your hearing.
5. Consult your insurance ahead of time
The way that health insurance and hearing tests work together can be… bewildering. If your hearing loss is part of a medical condition, some insurance plans will cover it. But other plans may not. 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 certain cases. Otherwise, you can talk to your insurance company directly.
6. Bring a family member or friend in with you
There are several important benefits to bringing a friend or relative with you to your hearing test, though it’s not absolutely necessary. Among the most prominent advantages are the following:
- Even when you can’t tell that you have hearing loss, people close to you will certainly be aware of it. This means that we will have access to even more information to help make a definitive diagnosis or exam.
- When you’re at your exam, a lot of information will be covered. Having a dependable friend or loved one with you can help you remember all of that information later.
7. The results will come fairly quickly
With many medical diagnostics, it might be days or weeks before you get your diagnosis. But with a hearing test, that’s not the case. Just like 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 enhance your overall hearing health and walk you through what your results mean. That might mean using some ear protection or some lifestyle changes or maybe hearing aids. Either way, you’ll know it immediately.
So there’s no need to overthink it. But it is helpful, mainly for you, to be prepared!