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 you a reminder text so you should have time to prepare. So what should I do to get ready?
You won’t have to stay awake 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 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. 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 discreet. So take a few notes on when your symptoms are most pronounced before you come see us. You can jot things down like:
- When you’re out in a crowded restaurant, do you strain to hear conversations? If so, how often does that take place?
- Do you find yourself losing focus during meetings at work? What time during the day is this most prevalent?
- Was it difficult to hear the television? Do you have it cranked way up? And do you notice that it’s harder to hear at night than in the morning?
- Is it a challenge to have conversations on the phone? Take note of times when understanding the person on the other end is more difficult.
This type of information is extremely useful for us. Take note of the day and time of these symptoms if possible. At least observe the occurrence of the symptoms if you can’t record the times.
2. Get some information about hearing aids
How complete is your knowledge about hearing aids? You don’t want to make any decisions founded on false information you may have picked up somewhere. If we inform you a hearing aid would be helpful, that’s would be the perfect time to ask informed questions.
You will get better answers and the process will be accelerated when you know what kinds of hearing devices are available and determine what your preferences are.
3. Consider your medical past
This is another instance when writing something down can help hasten the post-hearing-test-conversation. Before you come in, you should take some time to write down your medical history. Write down major medical occurrences and also minor ones. Here are a few examples:
- What kind of medication you take.
- Any history of illness or health problems (you don’t need to note every cold, but anything that stands out).
- Major or minor surgical procedures that you have had.
- Medical devices you might currently use.
- Allergies and reactions to medications.
4. Avoid loud noises and noisy settings
If you go to a loud rock concert the day before your hearing test, it’s going to affect the results Likewise, if you go to an airshow the morning before your test, the results will not be correct. 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 reveal your current hearing health.
5. Before your appointment, consult your insurance company
The way that health insurance and hearing tests work together can be… bewildering. If your hearing loss is part of a medical condition, some insurance plans will cover it. But other plans may not. It’s a good plan to get all of this figured out before your appointment, so you’re more confident about what you can expect. In some instances, you can work directly with us to get answers about insurance. Otherwise, you can talk to your insurance company directly.
6. Ask somebody to come with you
Bringing a trusted friend or loved one with you to a hearing appointment isn’t absolutely necessary, but it can present several advantages. Here are several of the most prominent advantages:
- You’re likely to cover a lot of info during your appointment. When you get home, after the appointment, you will have an easier time remembering all of the information we give you if someone else is there with you.
- Even when you can’t tell that you have hearing loss, people close to you will absolutely be aware of it. This means that we will have access to even more insight to help make a definitive diagnosis or exam.
7. Be prepared for your results
With many medical diagnostics, it may be days or weeks before you get your results. But with a hearing test, that’s not the case. With a hearing exam, you will get the results right away.
And better yet, 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 hearing protection. You’ll know rather quickly either way.
So, you won’t need to cram for your hearing test. But it is helpful, mainly for you, to be prepared!