You completely spaced your hearing exam tomorrow, but that’s not very unusual, you’re really busy. It’s a good thing we sent out a reminder text so you should have time 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 a test. With a hearing exam, it’s more about trying 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 exam 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 obvious and others that are more subtle. So take a few notes on when your symptoms are most noticeable before you come see us. You can jot things down like:
- Is having phone conversations difficult? Note times when understanding the person on the other end is more difficult.
- Did you have a hard time hearing the TV? Do you have it turned way up? And do you notice that it’s harder to hear at night than in the morning?
- When you’re out in a crowded restaurant, do you strain to hear conversations? If so, how frequently does that take place?
- Do you find yourself losing focus in meetings at work? What time during the day is this most prevalent?
This kind of information is extremely useful for us. If you can, take note of the time and day these instances occurred. If you can’t, just note 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 may have heard someplace. A good opportunity to get some valid info is when we inform you that hearing aids would benefit you.
You will get better answers and the process will be accelerated when you know what types of hearing devices are available and understand what your preferences are.
3. Review your medical history
This one will also help the process go smoother after your appointment. Write down your medical history before you visit us for your assessment. Write down major medical occurrences and also minor ones. Here are a few examples:
- What kind of medication you take.
- Major or minor surgical procedures that you have undergone.
- Medical equipment you may currently be using.
- Sickness or diseases you’ve experienced that stick out in your mind.
- Allergies and reactions to medications.
4. Avoid loud sounds and noisy environments
If you go to a loud rock concert the night before your hearing test, it’s going to impact the results The results will be similarly skewed 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 reflect your current hearing health.
5. Before your appointment, talk to your insurance company
The way that health insurance and hearing tests work together can be… perplexing. Some plans may cover your hearing exam, particularly if it’s related to a medical condition. But not all plans will. It’s a good plan to get all of this figured out before your appointment, so you’re more confident about what you can expect. In some situations, you can work directly with us to get insurance answers. If we can’t, you will have to speak directly with your insurance company.
6. Ask someone 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 offer several advantages. Here are several of the most notable advantages:
- You don’t always recognize when your hearing isn’t working right but it’s a good bet your spouse or partner does! This means that we will have access to even more information to help make an accurate diagnosis or exam.
- 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.
7. The results will come fairly quickly
It could be days or even weeks before you get the results of many medical diagnostics. But that’s not the situation with a hearing test. With a hearing exam, you will get the results right away.
And what’s even better, we’ll show you how to enhance your overall hearing health and help you understand the meaning of your results. That could mean utilizing some ear protection or some behavioral changes or possibly hearing aids. Either way, you’ll know it right away.
So, you don’t need to cram for your hearing test. But being prepared will be helpful, particularly for you.