You completely forgot your hearing test tomorrow, but that’s not really surprising, you’re really busy. It’s a good thing we sent you a reminder text so you should have time to prepare. So… what should you do?
Hearing tests aren’t like back in college or high school where you’d have to pull an all-nighter to study for an 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 preparing for your hearing test is really about.
Get prepared using these 7 tips!
1. Create a list of your symptoms (and when they occur)
Hearing loss doesn’t present the same way for everyone all the time. There may be some symptoms that are obvious and others that are more subtle. So take a few notes on when your symptoms are most noticeable before you come see us. Some things you can write down include:
- Do you find yourself losing focus during meetings at work? Does this normally occur in the morning? All day?
- Did you have difficulty following a conversation while eating out in a busy restaurant? Does that occur frequently?
- Was it hard to hear the tv? How loud is the volume? And do you experience that it’s harder to hear at night than in the morning?
- Is it a challenge to carry on conversations on the phone? Monitor times when it’s more difficult to hear people than usual.
We find this type of information very useful. If you can, note the time and day these symptoms occurred. At least note the occurrence of the symptoms if you can’t record the times.
2. Do some research on hearing aids
How much do you really know 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 helpful, that’s would be a great time to ask educated questions.
You will get better answers and the process will be accelerated when you know what kinds of hearing devices are available and understand what your preferences are.
3. Think about 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. This should consist of both major and minor incidents. Here are a few examples:
- Medication interactions and allergies.
- Any medical apparatuses you use.
- Any history of illness or disease (you don’t need to note every cold, but anything that sticks out).
- Major or minor surgical procedures that you have had.
- What kind of medication you take.
4. Loud noisy environments should be avoided
If you have a hearing assessment scheduled and you go to a loud concert the night before, the outcome will be skewed. The results will be similarly impacted if you go to 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 exam. This will ensure the results are an accurate reflection of the current state of your hearing.
5. Talk to your insurance in advance
The way that health insurance and hearing tests interact can be… bewildering. Some plans might cover your hearing assessment, especially if it’s related to a medical disorder. But other plans might not. You will be a great deal more confident at your appointment if you get this all figured out before you come in. We can also help you in some instances. If we can’t, you will need to speak directly with your insurance company.
6. Bring a friend or family member in with you
There are some significant benefits to bringing a relative or friend with you to your hearing exam, though it’s not absolutely necessary. Here are several of the most notable advantages:
- Even when you can’t tell that you have hearing loss, people close to you will certainly be aware of it. So our test and diagnosis will be based on much deeper and more detailed information.
- When you’re at your exam, a lot of information will be discussed. Having a trusted friend or loved one with you can help you remember all of that information when you get home.
7. Be ready for your results
It could be days or even weeks before you get the results of many medical diagnostics. But with a hearing test, that’s not the situation. Just like the bubble-sheet tests that were 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 improve your general hearing health and help you understand the meaning of your results. Perhaps that’s a hearing aid, maybe it’s some changes to your behavior, or some hearing protection. Either way, you’ll know it immediately.
So, you don’t need to cram for your hearing test. But it is helpful, mostly for you, to be prepared!