You completely spaced 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 a few hours to get ready. So… what should you do?
You won’t need to stay up all night preparing for a hearing test like you did in school the night before a big exam. Getting ready for a hearing exam is more about thinking through your symptoms and making certain you don’t forget anything. In other words, getting ready for your hearing test is really about ensuring you get as much out of your time with us as possible.
Get prepared with these 7 tips!
1. Create a list of your symptoms (and when they happen)
Hearing loss doesn’t manifest the same way for everyone all the time. There might be some symptoms that are apparent and others that are more discreet. So, before your appointment, it’s a good idea to start taking a few notes on when your hearing loss is most significant. You can write things down like:
- Did you have trouble making out a conversation while dining out in a busy restaurant? If so, how frequently does that occur?
- When you’re in meetings at work, do you lose focus? Does this tend to happen in the morning? All day?
- Did you have a difficult time hearing the TV? Do you have it cranked way up? And do you have a more difficult time hearing at night?
- Is talking on the phone difficult? Keep track of times when it’s harder to understand people than usual.
We find this type of information very useful. Take note of the day and time of these symptoms if you can. If you can’t, just remember that they did occur.
2. Research hearing aids
How accurate is your knowledge about hearing aids? You don’t want to make any decisions founded on false information you may have heard someplace. A good opportunity to get some accurate info is when we advise you that hearing aids would help you.
You will get better information and the process will be accelerated when you know what types of hearing devices are available and understand what your preferences are.
3. Go over your medical history
This one will also help the process go faster after your appointment. Before you come in, you should take some time to jot down your medical history. This should consist of both major and minor incidents. You should note things like:
- Major or minor surgical procedures that you have had.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Sickness or diseases you’ve had that stick out in your mind.
- Any medical equipment you use.
- Allergies and reactions to medicines.
4. Avoid loud noises and noisy settings
If you have a hearing test scheduled and you go to a loud concert the night before, the outcome will be impacted. Similarly, if you go to an airshow the morning before your exam, the results will not be reliable. 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 accurate and reflect your current hearing health.
5. Before your appointment, consult your insurance company
It can be a bit confusing sorting out what portions of your visit will be covered by insurance. If your hearing loss is related to 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. In some instances, you can work directly with us to get insurance answers. Otherwise, you can speak to your insurance company directly.
6. Bring a friend or family member in with you
There are some significant benefits to bringing a relative or friend with you to your hearing exam, though it’s not absolutely necessary. Here are some of the most prominent benefits:
- You’re likely to cover a lot of info at your appointment. Later, after the appointment, you will have an easier time remembering all of the information we give you if somebody else is there with you.
- You don’t always detect when your hearing isn’t working right but it’s a safe bet your spouse or partner does! So our test and diagnosis will be based on much deeper and more detailed information.
7. Be ready for your results
It may be days or even weeks before you receive the results of many medical diagnostics. But that’s not the situation with a hearing test. Similar to the bubble-sheet tests that were fed through the scantron machine when you were in college, you get your results immediately.
And even better, we’ll walk you through what your results mean and how you can improve your general hearing health. That might mean utilizing some hearing protection or some behavioral changes or possibly hearing aids. Either way, you’ll know it right away.
So, you don’t have to cram for your hearing test. But being ready will be helpful, particularly for you.