You completely spaced your hearing exam tomorrow, but that’s not really unusual, you’ve been really busy. It’s a good thing we sent you a reminder text so you should have time to prepare. So how should I get ready?
Hearing exams aren’t like back in college or high school where you’d have to stay up all night to study for a test. Getting ready for a hearing exam is more about thinking over your symptoms and making sure you don’t forget anything. Getting the most out of your time with us is what getting ready for your hearing test is really about.
Here are 7 simple ways to get yourself prepped and ready!
1. Create a list of your symptoms (and when they occur)
Hearing loss doesn’t present the same way for everybody all the time. There might be some symptoms that are obvious and others that are more discreet. So, before you come in, it’s a good idea to begin taking some notes on when your hearing loss is most pronounced. You can write things down like:
- Is talking on the phone difficult? Note times when understanding the person on the other end is harder.
- Was it difficult to hear the television? Do you have it cranked way up? And do you have a harder time hearing at night?
- During meetings at work, do you lose focus? What time during the day is this most prominent?
- Did you have difficulty hearing a conversation while eating out in a busy restaurant? Does that occur frequently?
We find this kind of information very useful. Note the day and time of these symptoms if possible. If you can’t, just remember that they did happen.
2. Do some research on 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 based on what you presume. A good time to get some valid info is when we advise you that hearing aids would help you.
Knowing what types of hearing devices are available and what your preferences might be can help speed along the process and help you get better answers.
3. Consider your medical past
This one will also help the process go smoother after diagnosis. Before you come in, you should take some time to write down your medical history. This should include both major and minor situations. Here are a few examples:
- Any medical equipment you use.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Allergies and reactions to medicines.
- Any history of sickness or disease (you don’t need to note every cold, but anything that sticks out).
- Major or minor surgical procedures that you have undergone.
4. Stay away from loud sounds and noisy settings
If you attend a loud rock concert the night before your hearing assessment, it’s going to impact the outcome. Likewise, if you check-out an airshow the morning before your test, the results will not be correct. You can see where we’re going with this: you want to safeguard your ears from loud noises before your hearing exam. This will help ensure your results are reliable and reveal your current hearing health.
5. Before your appointment, check with your insurance company
It can be a bit challenging sorting out what portions of your visit will be covered by insurance. Some plans may cover your hearing test, especially if it’s part of a medical disorder. But not all plans will. It’s a good idea to get all of this figured out before your appointment, so you’re more confident about what you can expect. In some cases, you can work directly with us to get insurance answers. If we can’t, you will need to speak directly with your insurance company.
6. Bring a family member or friend in with you
Bringing a trusted friend or loved one with you to a hearing appointment isn’t strictly necessary, but it can provide several benefits. Among the most prominent advantages are the following:
- When you’re at your exam, a lot of information will be discussed. When you get home, after the appointment, you will have an easier time remembering all of the information we give you if somebody else is there with you.
- Even when you aren’t aware that you have hearing impairment, people close to you will certainly be aware of it. So our exam and diagnosis will be based on much deeper and more comprehensive information.
7. Be prepared for your results
With many medical diagnostics, it could be days or weeks before you get your diagnosis. But that’s not the situation with a hearing exam. With a hearing exam, you will get the results right away.
And even better, we’ll walk you through what your results mean and how you can enhance your general hearing health. Maybe that’s a hearing aid, maybe it’s some changes to your lifestyle, or some hearing protection. You’ll know immediately either way.
So there’s no need to overthink it. But being ready will be helpful, especially for you.