How to Prepare for Your Hearing Test Appointment

Hearing tests are important for your hearing health. Even if you don’t believe that you have hearing loss, there may be subtle changes in the way that you hear sounds. A routine hearing test will help you uncover potential hearing loss, so you can make sure that everything is as it should be.

Schedule an Appointment

The first thing you need to do is schedule an appointment with an audiologist. Making an appointment is the first step for those who want to stay on top of their hearing health. You ideally need to make sure that you see a qualified and registered audiologist so you can get the professional advice you need. It’s important to find an audiologist who not only comes highly recommended, but that can also work with your schedule.

Know the Process

When trying something new, it’s useful to get ready to understand how it works. People often know about visiting the dentist or doctor, but having hearing tests is equally important. Your audiologist will conduct various tests and talk with you to understand any issues you might have. Hearing tests are usually fast and involve listening to different sounds using headphones. They might also do speech tests to better understand your hearing difficulties.

Make Notes

A hearing test doesn’t only look at the overall health of your hearing. It also assesses the impact of your hearing loss and how it could be affecting your life. Don’t be afraid to list the problems you feel as though you are experiencing, and if there is anything that could be potentially exacerbating your problems you audiologist will want to know your symptoms. This will help them to understand which tests to run, and which treatments will be the best for you.

Avoid Loud Noises

When going for a hearing test, you want to make sure that you are getting the most accurate results possible. Most people don’t know this, but you can skew your test results if you expose yourself to loud noises in the 12 hours leading to your appointment. Exposing yourself to loud noises can reduce the overall quality of your hearing, so it’s recommended that you eliminate this where possible.

Take a Friend

It’s so important that you feel calm and that you are comfortable during your test. If you are anxious, then it may be a good idea for you to take a friend or a family member with you. If you struggle with your hearing, then it could benefit you if you bring them along to catch anything you may have missed, so you can soak up the information from your audiologist, as well as getting their help when it comes to understanding your results.

If you suspect that you need hearing aids, before your appointment research the different options beforehand. Make sure that you know what hearing aids are on the market and take the time to learn about the features of each one. Your audiologist will be there to discuss the different options and which one may be best for your hearing needs.