You’re a fairly busy person, so it’s understandable that you completely forgot about the hearing test you have scheduled for tomorrow. Fortunately, you just got that reminder text from us, and you still have a few hours to prepare. So what should I do to get ready?
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. With a hearing exam, it’s more about attempting 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.
Here are 7 simple ways to get yourself prepped and ready!
1. Make a list of your symptoms (and when they manifest)
The symptoms of hearing loss vary from person to person and at different times. There may be some symptoms that are obvious and others that are more discreet. So, before your appointment, it’s a good plan to begin taking some notes on when your hearing loss is most noticeable. You can jot things down like:
- Did you have issues making out a conversation while dining out in a busy restaurant? If so, how often does that happen?
- Did you have a difficult time hearing the TV? How loud is the volume? And do you experience that it’s harder to hear later in the evening than in the morning?
- Do you find yourself losing concentration during meetings at work? What time during the day is this most prominent?
- Is having phone conversations difficult? Record times when it’s harder to hear people than usual.
We find this type of information very helpful. If you can, note the time and day these symptoms occurred. At least observe the occurrence of the symptoms if you can’t remember the times.
2. Research hearing aids
How accurate is your knowledge about hearing aids? You don’t want to make any decisions based on false information you may have picked up someplace. If we tell you a hearing aid would be worthwhile, that’s going to be an ideal opportunity to ask informed questions.
Knowing what types of hearing devices are available and what your preferences may be can help speed along the process and help you get better information.
3. Consider your medical past
This one will also help the process go smoother after diagnosis. Write down your medical history before you come in for your appointment. Include major medical occurrences and also minor ones. Here are some examples:
- What kind of medication you take.
- Sickness or diseases you’ve had that stick out in your mind.
- Medication interactions and allergies.
- Medical devices you may currently be using.
- Operations you’ve undergone, both major or minor.
4. Loud noisy environments should be shunned
If you attend a booming rock concert the night before your hearing assessment, it’s going to impact the results Similarly, if you go to an airshow the morning before your test, the results will not be accurate. You can see where we’re going with this: you want to safeguard your ears from loud noises before your hearing assessment. This will help ensure your results are reliable and reflect your current hearing health.
5. Consult your insurance ahead of time
It can be a bit challenging sorting out what portions of your visit will be covered by insurance. If your hearing impairment is part of a medical problem, some insurance plans will cover it. But not all plans will. You will be much 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. If we can’t, you will need to speak directly with your insurance company.
6. Bring a friend or family member in with you
Bringing a loved one or trusted friend with you to a hearing appointment isn’t strictly necessary, but it can provide several advantages. Here are some of the most prominent advantages:
- Even when you aren’t aware that you have hearing impairment, people close to you will absolutely be aware of it. So our test and diagnosis will be based on much deeper and more detailed information.
- You’re likely to go over a lot of information at your appointment. Having a trusted friend or family member with you can help you remember all of that information later.
7. The results will come fairly quickly
It might be days or even weeks before you get the results of many medical diagnostics. But that’s not the case with a hearing test. With a hearing test, you will get the results right away.
And what’s even better, we’ll show you how to enhance your general hearing health and walk you through what your results mean. That could mean utilizing some hearing protection or some lifestyle changes or maybe hearing aids. Either way, you’ll know it right away.
So there’s no need to overthink it. But it is helpful, mainly for you, to be prepared!