You’re a pretty 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 you a reminder text so you should have time to prepare. So how should I get ready?
Hearing exams aren’t like those days in college or high school where you’d have to stay up all night to study for a test. Preparing for a hearing exam is more about thinking over your symptoms and making certain you’re not forgetting anything. Getting the most out of your time with us is what preparing for your hearing test is really about.
Here are 7 easy ways to get yourself prepped and ready!
1. Put together a list of your symptoms (and when they manifest)
The symptoms of hearing impairment differ from person to person and at different times. There might be some symptoms that are apparent and others that are more discreet. So, before your appointment, it’s a good plan to begin taking a few notes on when your hearing loss is most significant. You can write things down like:
- Do you find yourself losing concentration in meetings at work? Does this normally happen in the morning? All day?
- Is talking on the phone difficult? Take note of times when hearing the person on the other end is more difficult.
- Was it hard to hear the tv? Do you have it cranked way up? And do you have a harder time hearing at night?
- Did you have trouble hearing a conversation while dining out in a packed restaurant? Does that happen a lot?
This kind of information is extremely useful for us. If you can, note the time and date these symptoms occurred. If you can’t, just remember that they did occur.
2. Get some information about hearing aids
How much do you actually know about hearing aids? You don’t want to make any decisions based on false information you might have picked up somewhere. A good time to get some accurate info is when we advise you that hearing aids would benefit you.
You will get better information and the process will be accelerated when you know what types of hearing devices are available and determine what your preferences are.
3. Think about your medical past
This one will also help the process go faster after your appointment. Before your appointment, you should take a little time to write down your medical history. Write down major medical incidents and also minor ones. You should write down things like:
- Allergies and reactions to medications.
- Major or minor surgeries that you have had.
- Medical equipment you might currently use.
- What kind of medication you take.
- Illness or diseases you’ve had that stand out in your mind.
4. Loud noisy environments should be avoided
If you have a hearing exam scheduled and you go to a loud concert the night before, the outcome will be skewed. Similarly, if you go to an airshow the morning before your test, the results will not be accurate. 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 accurate and reflect your current hearing health.
5. Before you come in, consult your insurance company
The way that health insurance and hearing tests work together can be… confusing. Some plans may cover your hearing exam, especially if it’s part of a medical disorder. But not all plans will. It’s a good plan to get all of this figured out 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 need to speak directly with your insurance company.
6. Ask someone to come with you
Bringing a trusted friend or loved one with you to a hearing appointment isn’t strictly necessary, but it can present several advantages. amongst the most notable benefits are the following:
- Even when you aren’t aware that you have hearing impairment, people close to you will certainly be aware of it. 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. 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. The results will come fairly quickly
It may be days or even weeks before you receive the results of many medical diagnostics. But that’s not the situation with a hearing exam. Similar to the bubble-sheet tests that got 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 to improve your general hearing health and walk you through the meaning of your results. That might mean utilizing some ear protection or some lifestyle changes or perhaps hearing aids. You’ll know rather quickly either way.
So, you won’t have to cram for your hearing test. But being ready will be helpful, particularly for you.