Getting Ready for Your Hearing Exam – 7 Tips

You’re a fairly busy person, so it’s reasonable that you completely forgot about the hearing test you have scheduled for tomorrow. Luckily, you just got 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 preparing for a hearing test like you did in school the night before a big exam. With a hearing test, it’s more about attempting to remember everything you need to know about your symptoms. In other words, getting ready for your hearing test is really about making certain you get as much out of your time with us as possible.

Get prepared using these 7 tips!

1. Put together a list of your symptoms (and when they occur)

The symptoms of hearing impairment differ from person to person and at different times. Some symptoms may be more pronounced than others. So take some notes on when your symptoms are most noticeable before your appointment. Some things you can write down include:

• Did you have issues following a conversation while eating out in a crowded restaurant? If so, how often does that take place?
• Is talking on the phone difficult? Take note of times when hearing the person on the other end is harder.
• Did you have a difficult time hearing the TV? How high is the volume? And do you experience that it’s more difficult to hear at night than in the morning?
• During meetings at work, do you lose focus? Does this tend to occur in the morning? All day?

We find this kind of information very helpful. Take note of the day and time of these symptoms if possible. At least note the occurrence of the symptoms if you can’t remember the times.

2. Get some information about hearing aids

How much do you really know about hearing aids? You don’t want to make any decisions based on false information you might have heard someplace. A good opportunity to get some valid info is when we inform you that hearing aids would help you.

You will get better answers and the process will be expedited when you know what types of hearing devices are available and determine what your preferences are.

3. Go over your medical history

This one will also help the process go smoother after diagnosis. Write down your medical history before you come in for your assessment. Include major medical incidents and also minor ones. Here are some examples:

• Medications you’re currently taking.
• Any history of sickness or health problems (you don’t need to note every cold, but anything that stands out).
• Surgeries you’ve undergone, both major or minor.
• Any medical apparatuses you use.
• Allergies and reactions to medicines.

4. Stay away from loud sounds and noisy settings

If you have a hearing test scheduled and you go to a loud concert the night before, the results will be impacted. Likewise, if you go to 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 protect your ears from loud noises before your hearing exam. This will ensure the results are an accurate reflection of the current state of your hearing.

5. Before you come in, consult your insurance company

The way that health insurance and hearing tests work together can be… confusing. Some plans might cover your hearing test, particularly if it’s part of a medical condition. But not all plans will. You will be a lot more confident at your appointment if you get this all squared away before you come in. In some instances, 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. Ask somebody to come with you

There are several important advantages to bringing a relative or friend with you to your hearing exam, though it’s not absolutely necessary. Among the most notable benefits are the following:

• You’re likely to go over a lot of information during your exam. Later, after the appointment, you will have an easier time remembering all of the information we give you if someone else is there with you.
• You don’t always detect when your hearing isn’t functioning correctly but it’s a good bet your spouse or partner does! So our test and diagnosis will be determined by much deeper and more detailed information.

7. The results will come fairly quickly

With many medical diagnostics, it may be days or weeks before you get your results. But that’s not the situation with a hearing test. With a hearing exam, you will get the results right away.

And what’s even better, we’ll show you how to enhance your general hearing health and walk you through the meaning of your results. That might mean using some hearing protection or some lifestyle changes or possibly hearing aids. You’ll know rather quickly either way.

So you don’t have to overthink it. But it is helpful, mainly for you, to be prepared!