Steps to Take to Prepare for Your Upcoming Hearing Test

A hearing test is not like a full-blown college examination. You do not need to stay up incredibly late to try to cram for the test. However, this does not mean that you should not be prepared. If you believe you may be in the need of hearing aids and have a hearing test scheduled, there are a few things you can do to be as prepared as possible.

Note Your Medical History

Before undergoing a hearing test, your ear doctor will ask you several questions about your hearing, your general health, and your medical history. To help make things easier, it is a good idea to write down any surgical procedures that you have undergone, any medications that you are taking now and have taken previously, any allergies that you have, etc. It is important to ensure that your ear doctor is aware of all of this information before beginning the hearing test and suggesting possible treatments.

Clean Your Ears 

Your ears are vulnerable to attracting various types of debris, and there is also a high risk of earwax overproduction. Before going into the office for a hearing test, you should clean your ears. To clean your ears, you may want to use cotton buds, but these can be dangerous. Therefore, you will want to use a damp cloth and wipe your ears with it instead. If there is a lot of wax inside of your ears, your ear doctor will be able to detect this with an otoscope. If excess wax is a problem, the audiologist will inform you of potential solutions.

Avoid Loud Noises

If you have a hearing test scheduled, you will want to do your very best to avoid significantly loud noises. Exposing yourself to loud noises, such as loud music at a live concert, could cause damage to your hearing. Try to stay in quiet environments for 12 to 24 hours leading up to the test. If you work in a loud environment, such as a construction site, make sure you are using the proper wear protection.

Reschedule If You're Sick

If you are sick with the cold, the flu, or sinusitis, your hearing can be impacted. As a result, the results of your hearing test may also be affected. If you are sick within 48 to 72 hours of your hearing test, you should contact the office and reschedule for a time when you are feeling better.

As you can see, there are many ways in which you can prepare for your hearing test to ensure that your results are as accurate as possible. Regardless of what the outcome of the hearing test is, such as needing to get hearing aids, you will know you are prepared. For more questions, contact a hearing aid service near you.