You scheduled a hearing exam but you’re so busy it’s understandable that you would have forgotten about it. It’s a good thing you received a text from the clinic reminding you in time for you to get ready. But what type of preparation should you do?
The effectiveness of your appointment will be improved with just a little bit of basic prep.
7 steps to prepare for your hearing exam
Here are seven essential strategies to ensure you’re totally prepared:
Record your symptoms
Hearing loss manifests differently for everyone and across various situations. Whenever you notice that you’re in a situation where you’re having hearing issues, write it down. Are there particular times when you have a hard time hearing the television, for example? Are conversations hard to follow in crowded places such as restaurants? If you record these instances, it will help us get a better look into your specific hearing situation.
Hearing aids can help a lot
Determining the landscape of hearing aids can enable you to make educated choices during your appointment. Do some research about how the various types of hearing aids might work with your needs and lifestyle. Being well-informed about available options can clarify discussions with your specialist and make sure that any recommendations are personalized to your needs.
Evaluate your medical history
Collect a comprehensive outline of your medical history to share with your hearing specialist. Noteworthy illnesses, previous surgeries, current medications, and any medical devices you use are all details that might be significant. Individualizing our treatment recommendations by determining any factors that might be contributing to your hearing loss will be that much easier when we have a holistic picture of your health.
Protect your ears
In the days prior to your hearing exam, take proactive measures to safeguard your ears from loud noises. Steer clear of things like construction sites and rock concerts where the noise levels are particularly high because exposure can skew the results of your exam. By safeguarding your hearing prior to the test, you help ensure the accuracy of the results and obtain a clear comprehension of your hearing health.
Look into your insurance
Check to see if your insurance covers hearing services. By getting a heads-up on your coverage, you will be better able to answer any related questions and avoid unexpected expenses. You might need some clarification so don’t be afraid to get in touch with us or your insurance provider.
Have a friend go with you
While attending your appointment by yourself is totally fine, having a companion can offer several benefits. Whether it’s a member of the family, friend, or caregiver, bringing somebody along can provide extra support and perspective during the consultation. They can help remember important information discussed during the appointment and give insights into your hearing experiences that you might not have noticed yourself.
Anticipate results discussion
Usually, you will get the results of a hearing exam the same day, unlike many other medical exams. Prepare yourself mentally to get these results and engage in a meaningful discussion with us about their ramifications. We might recommend solutions like hearing protection strategies, lifestyle modifications, or the potential of getting hearing aids.
By following these seven essential steps, you can approach your hearing test with confidence and guarantee that you get maximum benefit from your appointment.
If you haven’t scheduled your hearing test yet, give us a call today to get your appointment on the books.