You’re a really busy person, so it’s understandable that you completely forgot about the hearing exam 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 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 trying to remember everything you need to know regarding your symptoms. Essentially, getting ready for your hearing exam is really about ensuring you get as much out of your time with us as you can.
Here are 7 easy ways to get prepped and ready!
1. Create a list of your symptoms (and when they happen)
The symptoms of hearing impairment vary from person to person and at different times. Some symptoms may be more prominent than others. So, before you come in, it’s a good plan to begin taking a few notes on when your hearing loss is most significant. You can jot things down like:
- Was it difficult to hear the tv? How high is the volume? And do you experience that it’s harder to hear later in the evening than in the morning?
- Did you have difficulty hearing a conversation while eating out in a busy restaurant? Does that happen a lot?
- 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.
- During meetings at work, do you lose focus? What time during the day is this most prevalent?
This type of information is extremely useful for us. Note the day and time of these symptoms if possible. If you can’t, just remember that they did happen.
2. Get some information about hearing aids
How much do you actually know about hearing aids? It’s a relevant question because you don’t want to make any decisions based on what you presume. If we inform you a hearing aid would be beneficial, that’s going to be an ideal time to ask educated questions.
Knowing what types of hearing devices are out there and what your preferences may be can help speed up the process and help you get better answers.
3. Review your medical history
This is another time when writing things down can help hasten the post-hearing-test-conversation. Before your appointment, you should take some time to write down your medical history. This should consist of both major and minor incidents. Here are some examples:
- Operations you’ve undergone, both major or minor.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Medication interactions and allergies.
- Any medical equipment you use.
- Sickness or diseases you’ve had that stand out in your mind.
4. Loud noisy settings should be shunned
If you have a hearing exam 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 should avoid loud noises before you come in for your hearing exam. This will ensure the results are a reliable reflection of the current health of your hearing.
5. Talk to your insurance in advance
It can be a bit challenging sorting out what portions of your appointment will be covered by insurance. If your hearing loss is related to a medical problem, some insurance plans will cover it. But other plans may not. It’s a good plan to get all of this squared away before your appointment, so you’re more confident about what you can expect. We can also help you in certain situations. 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 benefits to bringing a friend or relative with you to your hearing exam, though it’s not entirely necessary. Here are several of the most notable advantages:
- You don’t always know when your hearing isn’t functioning correctly but it’s a good bet your spouse or partner does! This means that we will have access to even more insight to help make an accurate diagnosis or exam.
- When you’re at your appointment, a lot of information will be discussed. Having a trusted friend or loved one with you can help you remember all of that information later.
7. The results will come fairly quickly
It could 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 were fed through the scantron machine when you were in college, you get your results right away.
And what’s even better, we’ll show you how you can enhance your general hearing health and help you understand what your results mean. Maybe 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 there’s no need to overthink it. But it is helpful, mostly for you, to be prepared!
