You’re a pretty busy person, so it’s reasonable that you completely 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 you do?
You won’t need to stay awake all night cramming for a hearing test like you did in school the night before a big exam. Preparing for a hearing test is more about thinking over your symptoms and making certain you’re not forgetting anything. In other words, getting ready for your hearing exam is really about making certain you get as much out of your time with us as possible.
Get prepared with these 7 tips!
1. List out all of your symptoms and when you experience them
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 take a few notes on when your symptoms are most pronounced before you come see us. You can write things down like:
- Is it frustrating to have conversations on the phone? Note times when understanding the person on the other end is harder.
- Did you have trouble following a conversation while dining out in a busy restaurant? Does that occur a lot?
- Did you have a hard time hearing the TV? How high is the volume? And do you notice that it’s more difficult to hear at night than in the morning?
- When you’re in meetings at work, do you lose focus? What time during the day is this most prevalent?
We find this type of information very helpful. If you can, take note of the time and day these instances occurred. If you can’t, just note that they did happen.
2. Get some information about hearing aids
How much do you really know about hearing aids? It’s a relevant question because you don’t want to make any decisions influenced by what you think you know. An ideal opportunity to get some accurate info is when we inform you that hearing aids would help you.
Knowing what types of hearing devices are out there and what your preferences might be can help speed along the process and help you get better information.
3. Go over your medical history
This one will also help the process go faster after your appointment. Write down your medical history before you come in for your appointment. This should consist of both major and minor situations. Here are a few examples:
- Major or minor surgical procedures that you have had.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Medication interactions and allergies.
- Any history of illness or disease (you don’t have to note every cold, but anything that stands out).
- Medical equipment you may currently use.
4. Avoid loud noises and noisy settings
If you have a hearing assessment scheduled and you attend a loud concert the night before, the outcome will be impacted. The results will be similarly impacted if you attend an airshow the day of your exam. The point here is that you should avoid 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 beforehand
The way that health insurance and hearing tests work together can be… perplexing. If your hearing impairment is part of a medical problem, some insurance plans will cover it. But not all plans will. It’s a good plan to get all of this squared away before your appointment, so you’re more confident about what you can look forward to. In some instances, you can work directly with us to get answers about insurance. If we can’t, you will need to speak directly with your insurance company.
6. Ask somebody to come in with you
Bringing a loved one or trusted friend with you to a hearing appointment isn’t absolutely necessary, but it can offer numerous advantages. Among the most prominent advantages are the following:
- Even when you aren’t aware that you have hearing loss, people close to you will absolutely be aware of it. So our test and diagnosis will be determined by much deeper and more comprehensive information.
- When you’re at your appointment, a lot of information will be covered. 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 prepared for your results
It might be days or even weeks before you receive the results of many medical diagnostics. But that’s not the situation with a hearing exam. Similar to the bubble-sheet tests that were fed through the scantron machine when you were in college, you get your results right away.
And even better, we’ll walk you through what your results mean and how you can enhance your overall hearing health. Perhaps that’s a hearing aid, maybe it’s some changes to your behavior, or some hearing protection. You’ll know immediately either way.
So, you don’t have to cram for your hearing exam. But it is helpful, mainly for you, to be prepared!
