You’re a really busy person, so it’s understandable that you totally forgot about the hearing exam you have scheduled for tomorrow. Fortunately, you just got that reminder text from us, and you still have a few hours to prepare. So… what should you do?
You won’t have to stay up all night preparing for a hearing test like you did in school the night before a big exam. With a hearing test, it’s more about attempting to remember everything you need to know about your symptoms. Essentially, preparing for your hearing exam is really about ensuring you get as much out of your time with us as you can.
Get prepared using these 7 tips!
1. Make a list of your symptoms (and when they happen)
Hearing loss doesn’t manifest the same way for everyone all the time. Some symptoms may be more pronounced than others. So, before you come in, it’s a good idea to begin taking some notes on when your hearing loss is most noticeable. Some things you can write down include:
- Is having phone conversations difficult? Take note of times when understanding the person on the other end is harder.
- During meetings at work, do you lose focus? Does this tend to happen in the morning? All day?
- Did you have trouble hearing a conversation while eating out in a packed restaurant? If so, how frequently does that take place?
- Did you have a hard time hearing the TV? How loud is the volume? And do you have a more difficult time hearing at night?
This type of information is extremely useful for us. If you can, note the time and date these instances occurred. If you can’t, just note that they did happen.
2. Get some info 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. A good time to get some valid info is when we advise you that hearing aids would benefit you.
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 one will also help the process go faster after your appointment. Write down your medical history before you come in for your assessment. This should include both major and minor situations. You should write down things like:
- Surgeries you’ve undergone, both major or minor.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Any history of illness or health problems (you don’t need to note every cold, but anything that sticks out).
- Any medical equipment you use.
- Medication interactions and allergies.
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 results will be impacted. The results will be similarly skewed if you attend an airshow the day of your test. The point here is that you need to steer clear of loud noises before you come in for your hearing exam. 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 challenging sorting out what parts of your appointment will be covered by insurance. If your hearing impairment is part of a medical condition, some insurance plans will cover it. But other plans might not. You will be a lot 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 have to speak directly with your insurance company.
6. Bring a family member or friend in with you
There are some considerable advantages to bringing a friend or relative with you to your hearing test, though it’s not entirely necessary. Among the most prominent benefits are the following:
- When you’re at your exam, a lot of information will be covered. Having a trusted friend or loved one with you can help you remember all of that information later.
- You don’t always know when your hearing isn’t functioning correctly but it’s a good bet your spouse or partner does! So our exam and diagnosis will be based on much deeper and more detailed information.
7. The results will come fairly quickly
With many medical diagnostics, it might be days or weeks before you get your results. But that’s not the situation with a hearing exam. Just like the bubble-sheet tests that were fed through the scantron machine when you were in college, you get your results immediately.
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 right away.
So, you won’t have to cram for your hearing test. But it is helpful, mainly for you, to be prepared!