How You Can Prepare for Your Hearing Test

Your hearing is an important piece to your overall health and wellbeing, which is why it’s vital to have a hearing test performed if you suspect you may have hearing loss. Luckily, having your hearing tested is an easy appointment, and there are several simple things you can do to prepare.

1) Earwax removal

When earwax builds up in the ear canal, it can become significant enough to cause hearing loss – which can mean that the results of a hearing test are inaccurate. If you have any symptoms of earwax buildup, like a clogged or full feeling or excessive itchiness in the ears, then it may be worth having the audiologist remove any excess earwax removed before your hearing test appointment.

2) Avoid exposure to loud noise

Loud noises can temporarily impact your ability to hear; this effect is usually temporary, but it can nevertheless be significant enough to cause your hearing test results to be inaccurate. If at all possible, avoid exposure to loud noise for at least two days before your appointment date. If you cannot avoid noise exposure – for example, you work in a busy environment or are due to attend a long-scheduled concert – then wearing ear protection like earplugs, is advised.

3) Make notes about your symptoms and medication

Many people schedule an appointment with an audiologist because they have noticed symptoms that they believe may indicate hearing loss. If this is true of your experience, then writing these symptoms down can help your audiologist to decipher the cause of any hearing loss you are experiencing.  In addition, your audiologist will ask you for a list of any medication that you are currently taking, so compiling this list beforehand can be helpful. This list should include medications that you have been prescribed by a doctor, over-the-counter medications, and any supplements that you regularly take.

4) Request the medical questionnaire early

Like most medical professionals, audiologists will need a background understanding of your medical health before administering a test or treatment. To this end, you will usually be provided with a medical questionnaire at the start of your first appointment. If you would like to fill this questionnaire in beforehand, then you can ask your audiologist for a copy of the forms when you book your appointment.

5) Monitor your health

If you become unwell in the days leading up to your hearing test, then it may be worth calling your audiologist and advising them of this. Some illnesses – and particularly viruses, such as the cold or flu – can create a buildup of fluid in the ear, which can mean that your hearing test result may be inaccurate. Your audiologist may advise that it is best to reschedule your appointment to a later date when your symptoms will have improved.

Having gone through all of the above, you can be sure that when your hearing test appointment arrives, you will be completely prepared for the entire experience.