You’re a really busy person, so it’s reasonable that you totally forgot about the hearing test you have scheduled for tomorrow. 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?
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. Preparing for a hearing exam is more about thinking over your symptoms and making sure you don’t forget anything. Essentially, getting ready for your hearing test is really about making certain you get as much out of your time with us as possible.
Here are 7 simple ways to get prepped and ready!
1. Make a list of your symptoms (and when they occur)
Hearing loss doesn’t manifest the same way for everybody all the time. There might be some symptoms that are obvious 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 significant. You can write things down like:
- Is talking on the phone difficult? Take note of times when understanding the person on the other end is harder.
- Did you have a difficult time hearing the TV? Do you have it turned way up? And do you have a harder time hearing at night?
- When you’re out in a busy restaurant, do you struggle to hear conversations? If so, how frequently does that happen?
- When you’re in meetings at work, do you lose focus? What time during the day is this most prevalent?
This kind of information is very useful for us. Note the day and time of these symptoms if you can. At least note the occurrence of the symptoms if you can’t remember the times.
2. Get some info about hearing aids
How accurate is your knowledge about hearing aids? It’s a relevant question because you don’t want to make any decisions based on what you think you know. If we inform you a hearing aid would be beneficial, that’s would be the perfect opportunity to ask educated questions.
You will get better information and the process will be expedited when you know what types of hearing devices are available and determine what your preferences are.
3. Think about your medical past
This one will also help the process go faster after diagnosis. Write down your medical history before you visit us for your appointment. This should consist of both major and minor situations. Here are a few examples:
- Allergies and reactions to medications.
- Medical devices you might presently be using.
- Operations you’ve had, both major or minor.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Sickness or diseases you’ve had that stand out in your mind.
4. Loud noisy settings should be avoided
If you have a hearing exam scheduled and you go to a loud concert the night before, the outcome will be impacted. Similarly, if you check-out an airshow the morning before your exam, the results will not be accurate. You can see where we’re going with this: you want to protect your ears from loud noises before your hearing exam. This will ensure the results are a reliable reflection of the current health of your hearing.
5. Before you come in, consult your insurance company
It can be somewhat challenging sorting out what portions of your appointment will be covered by insurance. If your hearing impairment is part of a medical problem, some insurance plans will cover it. But other plans might 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. If not, you can talk to your insurance company directly.
6. Ask someone to come with you
Bringing a trusted friend or loved one with you to a hearing appointment isn’t strictly necessary, but it can offer several advantages. Here are several of the most notable benefits:
- You don’t always recognize when your hearing isn’t functioning correctly but it’s a safe bet your spouse or partner does! This means that we will have access to even more information to help make a precise diagnosis or exam.
- You’re likely to go over a lot of info at your exam. 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.
7. Be ready for your results
It may 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 even better, we’ll walk you through what your results mean and how you can enhance your general hearing health. Perhaps that’s a hearing aid, maybe it’s some changes to your lifestyle, or some ear protection. Either way, you’ll know it immediately.
So, you won’t have to cram for your hearing exam. But being ready will be helpful, particularly for you.