You’re a pretty busy person, so it’s understandable that you completely forgot about the hearing exam you have scheduled for tomorrow. Luckily, you just received that reminder text from us, and you still have some time to prepare. So how should I get ready?
You won’t have to stay awake all night cramming for a hearing test like you did in school the night before a big exam. Getting ready for a hearing test is more about thinking over your symptoms and making certain you don’t forget anything. Getting the most out of your time with us is what getting ready for your hearing exam is really about.
Here are 7 easy ways to get prepped and ready!
1. List out all of your symptoms and when you experience them
Hearing loss doesn’t manifest the same way for everybody all the time. 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 noticeable before you come see us. You can write things down like:
- Did you have trouble making out a conversation while dining out in a crowded restaurant? Does that happen a lot?
- Is talking on the phone difficult? Note times when understanding the person on the other end is harder.
- Was it hard to hear the tv? How loud is the volume? And do you have a more difficult time hearing at night?
- Do you find yourself losing focus in meetings at work? What time during the day is this most prominent?
This kind of information is very 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 info about hearing aids
How complete is your knowledge 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 worthwhile, that’s going to be the perfect opportunity to ask educated questions.
Knowing what kinds of hearing devices are out there and what your preferences might be can help speed up the process and help you get better answers.
3. Consider your medical past
This one will also help the process go smoother after your appointment. Write down your medical history before you come in for your appointment. Write down major medical incidents and also minor ones. You should write down things like:
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Any history of sickness or disease (you don’t have to note every cold, but anything that sticks out).
- Operations you’ve had, both major or minor.
- Any medical apparatuses you use.
- Medication interactions and allergies.
4. Loud noisy environments should be shunned
If you attend a loud rock concert the night before your hearing assessment, it’s going to skew the outcome. Likewise, if you go to an airshow the morning before your exam, the results will not be accurate. The point here is that you need to avoid loud noises before you come in for your hearing test. This will help ensure your results are reliable and reflect your current hearing health.
5. Before you come in, consult your insurance company
It can be a bit challenging sorting out what portions of your appointment will be covered by insurance. Some plans may cover your hearing exam, especially if it’s part of a medical condition. But not all plans will. It’s a good idea 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. Otherwise, you can talk to your insurance company directly.
6. Bring a friend or family member in with you
There are several important benefits to bringing a relative or friend with you to your hearing test, though it’s not absolutely necessary. amongst the most notable advantages are the following:
- Even when you aren’t aware that you have hearing impairment, people close to you will absolutely be aware of it. This means that we will have access to even more information to help make a definitive diagnosis or exam.
- You’re likely to cover a lot of info during your appointment. Having a dependable friend or family member with you can help you remember all of that information later.
7. Be ready for your results
It may be days or even weeks before you receive the results of many medical diagnostics. But with a hearing exam, that’s not the case. Similar to the bubble-sheet tests that got 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 you can improve your overall hearing health and help you understand what your results mean. Maybe 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 won’t have to cram for your hearing test. But it is helpful, mainly for you, to be prepared!