You totally forgot your hearing exam tomorrow, but that’s not really surprising, you’re very busy. Fortunately, you just received that reminder text from us, and you still have a few hours to prepare. 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. Getting ready for a hearing test is more about thinking over your symptoms and making certain you’re not forgetting anything. In other words, getting ready for your hearing test is really about making certain you get as much out of your time with us as you can.
Get prepared using these 7 tips!
1. Create 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 apparent and others that are more subtle. So, before your appointment, it’s a good plan to begin taking some notes on when your hearing loss is most significant. You can jot things down like:
- Did you have a difficult time hearing the TV? Do you have it cranked way up? And do you notice that it’s harder to hear at night than in the morning?
- Is having phone conversations difficult? Keep track of times when it’s harder to hear people than usual.
- Did you have trouble making out a conversation while dining out in a busy restaurant? Does that happen frequently?
- Do you find yourself losing concentration in meetings at work? Does this normally occur in the morning? All day?
We find this type of information very helpful. If you can, note the time and day these symptoms occurred. At least note the occurrence of the symptoms if you can’t remember the times.
2. Research hearing aids
How much do you really know about hearing aids? You don’t want to make any decisions founded on false information you might have picked up somewhere. An ideal time to get some valid 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 kinds of hearing devices are available and determine what your preferences are.
3. Consider your medical past
This one will also help the process go smoother after diagnosis. Write down your medical history before you visit us for your exam. Write down major medical occurrences and also minor ones. You should note things like:
- Medical devices you may currently be using.
- Allergies and reactions to medications.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Major or minor surgical procedures that you have undergone.
- Illness or diseases you’ve experienced that stand out in your mind.
4. Loud noisy environments should be shunned
If you have a hearing exam scheduled and you attend a loud concert the night before, the results will be impacted. Similarly, if you check-out an airshow the morning before your exam, the results will not be reliable. You can see where we’re going with this: you want to safeguard your ears from loud noises before your hearing exam. This will ensure the results are an accurate reflection of the current health of your hearing.
5. Talk to your insurance beforehand
The way that health insurance and hearing tests interact can be… perplexing. If your hearing impairment is related to a medical condition, some insurance plans will cover it. 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 look forward to. We can also help you in certain instances. Otherwise, you can talk to your insurance company directly.
6. Bring a friend or family member in with you
Bringing a trusted friend or loved one with you to a hearing appointment isn’t strictly necessary, but it can provide numerous benefits. Here are some of the most prominent advantages:
- You don’t always detect when your hearing isn’t functioning correctly but it’s a good bet your spouse or partner does! This means that we will have access to even more insight to help make a definitive diagnosis or exam.
- When you’re at your exam, a lot of information will be discussed. Having a dependable friend or loved one with you can help you remember all of that information when you get home.
7. The results will come fairly quickly
With many medical diagnostics, it might be days or weeks before you get your results. But that’s not the case with a hearing exam. 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 better yet, we’ll help you understand what your results mean and how you can improve your general hearing health. That might mean using some ear protection or some lifestyle changes or perhaps hearing aids. Either way, you’ll know it right away.
So there’s no need to overthink it. But being prepared will be helpful, especially for you.
