You completely spaced your hearing exam tomorrow, but that’s not very unusual, you’ve been very busy. Thankfully, you just got that reminder text from us, and you still have some time to prepare. So… what should you do?
You won’t need to stay awake all night preparing for a hearing test like you did in school the night before a big exam. With a hearing exam, it’s more about trying to remember everything you need to know about your symptoms. Getting the most out of your time with us is what preparing for your hearing test is really about.
Get prepared using these 7 tips!
1. List out all of your symptoms and when they manifest
The symptoms of hearing loss differ from person to person and at different times. There might be some symptoms that are apparent and others that are more subtle. So, before you come in, it’s a good plan to begin taking some notes on when your hearing loss is most significant. Some things you can write down include:
- Was it difficult to hear the television? How high is the volume? And do you have a more difficult time hearing at night?
- Do you find yourself losing concentration during meetings at work? What time during the day is this most prevalent?
- When you’re out in a crowded restaurant, do you struggle to hear conversations? If so, how frequently does that take place?
- Is having phone conversations difficult? Keep track of times when it’s harder to understand people than usual.
This type of information is extremely useful for us. Note the day and time of these symptoms if possible. 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. If we tell you a hearing aid would be worthwhile, that’s going to be a great opportunity to ask informed questions.
You will get better information and the process will be expedited when you know what kinds of hearing devices are available and determine what your preferences are.
3. Go over your medical history
This is another time when writing things down can help speed up the post-hearing-test-discussion. Write down your medical history before you come in for your appointment. This should include both major and minor situations. Here are a few examples:
- Surgeries you’ve undergone, both major or minor.
- Sickness or diseases you’ve experienced that stick out in your mind.
- Allergies and reactions to medicines.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Any medical equipment you use.
4. Loud noisy settings should be shunned
If you attend a booming rock concert the night before your hearing assessment, it’s going to affect the outcome. 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 test. This will ensure the results are a correct reflection of the current state of your hearing.
5. Before you come in, check with your insurance company
The way that health insurance and hearing tests work together can be… bewildering. If your hearing impairment is part of a medical condition, some insurance plans will cover it. But not all plans will. You will be a great deal more confident at your appointment if you get this all squared away before you come in. We can also help you in certain situations. If we can’t, you will need to speak directly with your insurance company.
6. Ask somebody to come in 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 prominent advantages:
- You’re likely to cover a lot of information at your appointment. Later, after the appointment, you will have an easier time recalling all of the information we give you if somebody else is there with you.
- You don’t always detect when your hearing isn’t functioning correctly but it’s a good bet your spouse or partner does! So our test and diagnosis will be determined by much deeper and more detailed information.
7. Be prepared for your results
With many medical diagnostics, it could be days or weeks before you get your diagnosis. But that’s not the case with a hearing test. Just like the bubble-sheet tests that got fed through the scantron machine when you were in college, you get your results immediately.
And what’s even better, we’ll show you how to enhance your overall hearing health and walk you through the meaning of your results. That might mean using some ear protection or some lifestyle changes or possibly hearing aids. You’ll know rather quickly either way.
So you don’t have to overthink it. But being ready will be helpful, particularly for you.