Smiling woman with short curly black hair wearing a green button up shirt excitedly waiting for her hearing test to begin in a sound booth

You’re a pretty busy person, so it’s reasonable that you totally 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 get ready. So what should I do to get ready?

Hearing tests 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 certain you’re not forgetting anything. Essentially, getting ready for your hearing test is really about ensuring you get as much out of your time with us as possible.

Get prepared using these 7 tips!

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

The symptoms of hearing impairment differ from person to person and at different times. There may be some symptoms that are obvious and others that are more subtle. So take some notes on when your symptoms are most pronounced before your appointment. Some things you can list out include:

  • Do you find yourself losing focus in meetings at work? Does this normally occur in the morning? All day?
  • Did you have a hard time hearing the TV? How loud is the volume? And do you notice that it’s harder to hear at night 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 more difficult.
  • Did you have difficulty following a conversation while dining out in a packed restaurant? If so, how often does that happen?

We find this type of information very useful. Take note of 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 accurate is your knowledge about hearing aids? It’s an important question because you don’t want to make any decisions influenced by what you think you know. If we inform you a hearing aid would be helpful, that’s going to be the perfect moment to ask informed questions.

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

3. Review your medical history

This one will also help the process go faster after your appointment. Write down your medical history before you come in for your exam. This should include both major and minor incidents. You should note things like:

  • Medications you’re currently taking.
  • Medical devices you may currently be using.
  • Surgeries you’ve undergone, both major or minor.
  • Medication interactions and allergies.
  • Any history of sickness or health problems (you don’t need to note every cold, but anything that sticks out).

4. Avoid loud sounds and noisy settings

If you have a hearing test 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 exam, 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 reliable and reflect your current hearing health.

5. Talk to your insurance in advance

It can be somewhat challenging sorting out what parts of your appointment will be covered by insurance. If your hearing impairment is related to a medical problem, some insurance plans will cover it. 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 situations, you can work directly with us to get answers about insurance. If we can’t, you will need to speak directly with your insurance company.

6. Bring a friend or family member in with you

Bringing a trusted friend or loved one with you to a hearing appointment isn’t strictly necessary, but it can present several benefits. Here are some of the most prominent benefits:

  • You don’t always detect 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.
  • You’re likely to cover a lot of information at your exam. 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.

7. Be prepared for your results

With many medical diagnostics, it might be days or weeks before you get your diagnosis. But with a hearing exam, that’s not the case. With a hearing exam, you will get the results immediately.

And what’s even better, we’ll show you how to enhance your overall hearing health and walk you through the meaning of your results. Maybe that’s a hearing aid, maybe it’s some changes to your behavior, or some hearing protection. You’ll know rather quickly either way.

So, you won’t need to cram for your hearing exam. But it is helpful, mainly for you, to be prepared!

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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
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