How to Prepare for a Hearing Test

If you are due to undergo a hearing test in the near future, you may be worrying that there are significant preparatory steps you will need to follow in order to produce the most accurate results. Many health tests do require an element of preparation – fasting for a blood test, for example – so it is natural to wonder if there are any such requirements for a hearing test.

Thankfully, preparing for a hearing test does not place any particularly burdensome requirements on you, so you should find the preparation for the test relatively simple and straightforward.

Avoid exposure to loud noise for 48 hours prior to the test

Most people are aware that exposure to loud noise – and particularly noise that is over 85 decibels – can damage your hearing. However, it is less well-known that damage can occur immediately. Hearing function usually recovers within 48 hours, but during this recovery period, hearing capabilities can be compromised. As a result, if you are exposed to loud noise and then undergo a hearing test soon afterwards, there is a chance that your results will be inaccurate, as the test will measure your temporarily-compromised hearing rather than your standard hearing capabilities.

Visit a professional for earwax removal

In order to ensure that your hearing test results are as accurate as possible, having your ears cleaned is definitely worth considering. It is important to note that while there are a number of over-the-counter products that claim to be able to remove earwax, these are generally ineffective – if not outright dangerous – so it is always preferable to visit an expert professional to ensure this procedure is completed correctly.

Write down a list of your medications

Your audiologist will need to know all the medications – including supplements and over-the-counter medications – you are currently taking, or have taken in the last five years, so it can be useful to compile a list of these to ensure nothing gets missed.

Consider your insurance options

If you are intending to use your insurance to cover your hearing test, it can be useful to call your insurer beforehand to ensure you have all the information you need in order to ascertain what is – and isn’t – covered. Furthermore, it can also be helpful to contact your audiologist to see if they can process an insurance claim on your behalf; if they can, you’ll need to gather together any documentation they may require in order to do so.

Monitor your health

If you develop a cold or the flu in the days prior to your hearing test, contact your audiologist’s office for further advice. In most cases, they will advise you to postpone your test, as these illnesses can cause fluid buildup in the ear that influences the results of a hearing test. Similarly, if you develop an ear infection, your audiologist will need to know and postponing the test will likely be recommended.

If you can achieve all of the above, you should be able to arrive at your hearing test feeling confident and relaxed, and able to enjoy the knowledge that your test’s results will be as accurate as possible.