You completely forgot your hearing test tomorrow, but that’s not really unusual, you’re really busy. Thankfully, you just received that reminder text from us, and you still have some time to get ready. So… what should you do?
You won’t have to stay up all night cramming for a hearing test like you did in school the night before a big exam. Preparing for a hearing exam is more about thinking through your symptoms and making sure you don’t forget anything. Getting the most out of your time with us is what preparing for your hearing test is really about.
Get prepared with these 7 tips!
1. List out all of your symptoms and when they manifest
The symptoms of hearing impairment differ from person to person and at different times. There might be some symptoms that are apparent and others that are more subtle. 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 write down include:
- Did you have difficulty making out a conversation while eating out in a packed restaurant? Does that occur a lot?
- When you’re in meetings at work, do you lose focus? What time during the day is this most prevalent?
- Is talking on the phone difficult? Take note of times when hearing the person on the other end is more difficult.
- Was it difficult to hear the tv? Do you have it turned way up? And do you have a more difficult time hearing at night?
This kind of information is really useful for us. If you can, note the time and day these symptoms occurred. If you can’t, just remember that they did happen.
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 might have heard someplace. 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 available and what your preferences might be can help speed along the process and help you get better answers.
3. Review your medical history
This is another instance when writing something down can help quicken the post-hearing-test-conversation. Before your appointment, you should take some time to write down your medical history. This should include both major and minor situations. You should note things like:
- Medical devices you may currently be using.
- Medication interactions and allergies.
- Surgeries you’ve undergone, both major or minor.
- Sickness or diseases you’ve had that stick out in your mind.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
4. Loud noisy settings should be avoided
If you have a hearing exam scheduled and you attend a loud concert the night before, the results will be impacted. The results will be similarly impacted if you go to an airshow the day of your exam. The point here is that you should avoid loud noises before you come in for your hearing exam. This will help ensure your results are reliable and reveal your current hearing health.
5. Before you come in, consult your insurance company
It can be somewhat confusing sorting out what parts of your appointment will be covered by insurance. Some plans may cover your hearing assessment, particularly if it’s part of a medical condition. But other plans may not. It’s a good plan to get all of this squared away before your appointment, so you’re more confident about what you can look forward to. In some instances, you can work directly with us to get answers about insurance. If not, you can speak to your insurance company directly.
6. Ask somebody to come with you
Bringing a loved one or trusted friend with you to a hearing appointment isn’t absolutely necessary, but it can offer numerous advantages. Among the most prominent advantages are the following:
- You don’t always detect when your hearing isn’t working right but it’s a good bet your spouse or partner does! So our exam and diagnosis will be determined by much deeper and more detailed information.
- You’re likely to go over a lot of information during your appointment. 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 could be days or weeks before you get your results. But with a hearing test, that’s not the situation. With a hearing test, you will get the results immediately.
And what’s even better, we’ll show you how you can enhance your general hearing health and help you understand the meaning of your results. Perhaps that’s a hearing aid, maybe it’s some changes to your behavior, or some ear protection. You’ll know rather quickly either way.
So, you won’t have to cram for your hearing exam. But being ready will be helpful, particularly for you.
