You completely forgot your hearing test tomorrow, but that’s not really unusual, you’ve been really busy. It’s a good thing we sent you a reminder text so you should have a few hours to prepare. So how should I get ready?
You won’t need 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 trying to remember everything you need to know about your symptoms. In other words, getting ready for your hearing exam is really about ensuring you get as much out of your time with us as you can.
Get prepared with these 7 tips!
1. List out all of your symptoms and when they manifest
The symptoms of hearing impairment differ from person to person and at different times. Some symptoms might be more dominant than others. So take a few notes on when your symptoms are most pronounced before you come see us. You can jot things down like:
- Do you find yourself losing concentration during meetings at work? What time during the day is this most prominent?
- Did you have trouble hearing a conversation while eating out in a busy restaurant? Does that occur frequently?
- Did you have a difficult time hearing the TV? How high is the volume? And do you experience that it’s more difficult to hear later in the evening than in the morning?
- Is it challenging to carry on conversations on the phone? Take note of times when understanding the person on the other end is more difficult.
This kind of information is really useful for us. Take note of the day and time of these symptoms if you can. If you can’t, just note that they did occur.
2. Get some info about hearing aids
How complete is your knowledge about hearing aids? It’s an important question because you don’t want to make any decisions based on what you presume. If we inform you a hearing aid would be worthwhile, that’s would be the perfect time 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. Consider your medical past
This is another time when writing something down can help hasten the post-hearing-test-discussion. Before you come in, you should take a little time to jot down your medical history. This should include both major and minor incidents. Here are some examples:
- Allergies and reactions to medicines.
- Illness or diseases you’ve had that stick out in your mind.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Surgeries you’ve had, both major or minor.
- Medical devices you may currently be using.
4. Avoid loud sounds and noisy environments
If you have a hearing test scheduled and you attend a loud concert the night before, the results will be impacted. The results will be similarly skewed if you attend an airshow the day of your exam. The point here is that you should steer clear of loud noises before you come in for your hearing test. This will help ensure your results are accurate and reflect your current hearing health.
5. Talk to your insurance ahead of time
It can be a bit confusing sorting out what parts of your appointment will be covered by insurance. If your hearing loss is part of a medical problem, some insurance plans will cover it. But not all plans will. It’s a good idea to get all of this squared away before your appointment, so you’re more confident about what you can expect. In some situations, you can work directly with us to get answers about insurance. Otherwise, you can speak to your insurance company directly.
6. Ask somebody to come with you
There are some considerable benefits to bringing a relative or friend with you to your hearing exam, though it’s not absolutely necessary. Among the most notable benefits are the following:
- You’re likely to go over a lot of information during 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.
- 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 exam and diagnosis will be determined by much deeper and more detailed information.
7. Be prepared 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. With a hearing test, you will get the results immediately.
And better yet, we’ll help you understand what your results mean and how you can enhance your overall hearing health. That might mean utilizing some ear protection or some behavioral changes or possibly hearing aids. You’ll know rather quickly either way.
So, you don’t need to cram for your hearing exam. But being prepared will be helpful, especially for you.