You completely spaced your hearing test tomorrow, but that’s not really unusual, you’re very busy. Luckily, you just received that reminder text from us, and you still have a few hours to prepare. So… what should you do?
You won’t have to stay up all night cramming 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. Getting the most out of your time with us is what getting ready for your hearing test is really about.
Here are 7 easy ways to get yourself prepped and ready!
1. Create a list of your symptoms (and when they occur)
Hearing loss doesn’t manifest the same way for everyone all the time. There may be some symptoms that are obvious and others that are more discreet. So, before your appointment, it’s a good plan to begin taking some notes on when your hearing loss is most pronounced. Some things you can list out include:
- When you’re out in a busy restaurant, do you struggle to keep up with conversations? If so, how frequently does that happen?
- Did you have a hard time hearing the TV? Do you have it turned way up? And do you experience that it’s more difficult to hear later in the evening than in the morning?
- Is it frustrating to have conversations on the phone? Take note of times when hearing the person on the other end is harder.
- Do you find yourself losing focus in meetings at work? What time during the day is this most prevalent?
We find this type of information very helpful. If you can, note the time and day these instances occurred. If you can’t, just remember that they did happen.
2. Get some info about hearing aids
How accurate is your knowledge about hearing aids? You don’t want to make any decisions founded on false information you might have picked up somewhere. If we inform you a hearing aid would be worthwhile, that’s would be a great opportunity to ask informed questions.
You will get better information and the process will be expedited when you know what types of hearing devices are available and understand what your preferences are.
3. Think about your medical past
This is another moment when writing things down can help speed up the post-hearing-test-conversation. Before you come in, you should take some time to jot down your medical history. Include major medical occurrences and also minor ones. You should write down things like:
- Medical equipment you may currently be using.
- Medications you’re currently taking.
- Operations you’ve had, both major or minor.
- Medication interactions and allergies.
- Illness or diseases you’ve experienced that stand out in your mind.
4. Avoid loud sounds and noisy environments
If you go to a loud rock concert the day before your hearing test, it’s going to skew the outcome. 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 test. This will ensure the results are an accurate reflection of the current health of your hearing.
5. Before you come in, talk to your insurance company
The way that health insurance and hearing tests work together can be… perplexing. If your hearing loss is related to a medical problem, some insurance plans will cover it. But not all plans will. You will be much more confident at your appointment if you get this all squared away before you come in. We can also help you in some cases. 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. Here are some of the most notable advantages:
- You’re likely to cover a lot of info at your appointment. Later, 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 loss, people close to you will certainly be aware of it. So our exam and diagnosis will be determined by much deeper and more comprehensive information.
7. Be prepared for your results
With many medical diagnostics, it may be days or weeks before you get your diagnosis. But with a hearing exam, that’s not the situation. With a hearing test, you will get the results right away.
And better yet, we’ll help you understand what your results mean and how you can enhance your overall hearing health. Perhaps that’s a hearing aid, maybe it’s some changes to your behavior, or some ear protection. Either way, you’ll know it right away.
So there’s no need to overthink it. But being ready will be helpful, particularly for you.