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 some time to prepare. So… what should you do?
Hearing exams aren’t like back in college or high school where you’d have to stay up all night to study for an exam. With a hearing exam, it’s more about trying to remember everything you need to know regarding your symptoms. Getting the most out of your time with us is what getting ready for your hearing test is really about.
Get prepared with these 7 tips!
1. Create a list of your symptoms (and when they manifest)
The symptoms of hearing loss vary from person to person and at different times. There may be some symptoms that are apparent and others that are more discreet. So take a few notes on when your symptoms are most noticeable before your appointment. You can jot things down like:
- Is talking on the phone difficult? Keep track of times when it’s harder to hear people than normal.
- Did you have a difficult time hearing the TV? Do you have it turned way up? And do you experience that it’s harder to hear at night than in the morning?
- Do you find yourself losing focus during meetings at work? Does this normally occur in the morning? All day?
- Did you have issues making out a conversation while dining out in a crowded restaurant? Does that happen frequently?
We find this type of information very helpful. 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. Get some information about hearing aids
How much do you actually know about hearing aids? It’s an important question because you don’t want to make any decisions influenced by what you think you know. If we tell you a hearing aid would be beneficial, that’s going to be the perfect moment to ask educated questions.
Knowing what types of hearing devices are out there and what your preferences may be can help speed along the process and help you get better information.
3. Review your medical history
This one will also help the process go faster after diagnosis. Write down your medical history before you visit us for your assessment. This should include both major and minor situations. Here are a few examples:
- Medical equipment you might currently be using.
- What kind of medication you take.
- Major or minor surgical procedures that you have had.
- Illness or diseases you’ve experienced that stand out in your mind.
- Medication interactions and allergies.
4. Stay away from loud sounds and noisy environments
If you have a hearing test scheduled and you attend a loud concert the night before, the outcome 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 need to avoid loud noises before you come in for your hearing test. This will ensure the results are a reliable reflection of the current state of your hearing.
5. Before your appointment, talk to your insurance company
The way that health insurance and hearing tests interact can be… confusing. If your hearing impairment is related to 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. We can also help you in some instances. If we can’t, you will have to speak directly with your insurance company.
6. Ask someone to come in with you
There are several important 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 don’t always recognize 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 determined by much deeper and more detailed information.
- When you’re at your appointment, a lot of information will be discussed. Later, after the appointment, you will have an easier time recalling all of the information we give you if somebody else is there with you.
7. Be prepared for your results
With many medical diagnostics, it could be days or weeks before you get your results. But that’s not the situation with a hearing test. With a hearing test, you will get the results immediately.
And what’s even better, we’ll show you how to improve your overall hearing health and walk you through the meaning of your results. That might mean utilizing some ear protection or some lifestyle changes or maybe hearing aids. You’ll know rather quickly either way.
So you don’t have to overthink it. But it is helpful, mainly for you, to be prepared!