You’re a fairly busy person, so it’s reasonable that you completely forgot about the hearing test you have scheduled for tomorrow. Fortunately, you just received that reminder text from us, and you still have a few hours to prepare. So what should I do to get ready?
Hearing tests aren’t like those days in college or high school where you’d have to pull an all-nighter to study for an exam. Getting ready for a hearing test 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 getting ready for your hearing exam is really about.
Get prepared with these 7 tips!
1. List out all of your symptoms and when they manifest
Hearing loss doesn’t present the same way for everyone all the time. There might be some symptoms that are apparent and others that are more discreet. So take a few notes on when your symptoms are most pronounced before your appointment. Some things you can list out include:
- Was it difficult to hear the tv? How high is the volume? And do you experience that it’s more difficult to hear later in the evening than in the morning?
- When you’re in meetings at work, do you lose focus? What time during the day is this most prominent?
- Is it a challenge to carry on conversations on the phone? Note times when hearing the person on the other end is harder.
- When you’re out in a busy restaurant, do you struggle to hear conversations? Does that happen frequently?
This type of information is really useful for us. Take note of the day and time of these symptoms if possible. If you can’t, just note that they did occur.
2. Research hearing aids
How much do you really know about hearing aids? It’s a relevant question because you don’t want to make any decisions based on what you presume. An ideal opportunity to get some accurate info is when we inform you that hearing aids would help you.
You will get better information and the process will be accelerated when you know what kinds of hearing devices are available and understand what your preferences are.
3. Review your medical history
This one will also help the process go faster after diagnosis. Before you come in, you should take some time to write down your medical history. This should consist of both major and minor situations. Here are some examples:
- Sickness or diseases you’ve experienced that stand out in your mind.
- Allergies and reactions to medicines.
- Any medical apparatuses you use.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Operations you’ve undergone, both major or minor.
4. Loud noisy settings should be shunned
If you attend a booming rock concert the night before your hearing assessment, it’s going to impact the outcome. Similarly, if you check-out an airshow the morning before your test, the results will not be correct. The point here is that you should steer clear of loud noises before you come in for your hearing test. This will ensure the results are an accurate reflection of the current health of your hearing.
5. Consult your insurance beforehand
It can be somewhat challenging sorting out what parts of your visit will be covered by insurance. If your hearing loss is part of a medical problem, some insurance plans will cover it. But other plans might not. You will be much more confident at your appointment if you get this all figured out before you come in. In some cases, you can work directly with us to get insurance answers. Otherwise, you can talk to your insurance company directly.
6. Bring a family member or friend 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. Among the most notable advantages are the following:
- Even when you aren’t aware that you have hearing loss, people close to you will absolutely be aware of it. This means that we will have access to even more insight to help make an accurate diagnosis or exam.
- When you’re at your appointment, a lot of information will be covered. When you get home, after the appointment, you will have an easier time remembering 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 results. But with a hearing exam, that’s not the situation. Just like the bubble-sheet tests that were 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 you can enhance your overall hearing health and walk you through what your results mean. That could mean using some ear protection or some lifestyle changes or maybe hearing aids. You’ll know immediately either way.
So, you won’t have to cram for your hearing test. But being ready will be helpful, particularly for you.