When it comes to testing for a hearing aid, there are a few things that should be taken into consideration. This way, you can get the most accurate results and have a positive experience.
Be Prepared
You don’t need to cram for your hearing test, but there are a few things you can do that will make the process run a little more smoothly. These tips can also help your audiologist find out more about your hearing health and how to improve it. For example, you should avoid loud noises a day or two before your appointment as this can affect your results. Additionally, if you have a head cold or virus, contact the audiologist to discuss your health and see if it’s possible to reschedule.
Don’t Smoke
While cigarette smoke may be something you associate with relaxing, it can actually have a negative effect on your hearing. The nicotine in cigarettes interferes with neurotransmitters in the auditory nerve, which is responsible for telling the brain what sound is being heard. This leads to the body’s inability to supply the microscopic hair cells in your ear with enough oxygen. As a result, they can die. In addition, smoking can also cause tinnitus, which is a constant ringing in the ears.
Don’t Go To A Loud Event
Summer is filled with outdoor concerts, air shows, Fourth of July parties, and NASCAR races (yes, that last one was just a joke). But while it may be fun to attend these events, they can also damage your ears. Exposure to loud noises can lead to hearing loss and tinnitus. And the longer you stay exposed, the more damage your hearing will sustain.
Don’t Take Any Medications
If you take any medications prior to your hearing test, it will impact the results of the tests. It also makes it harder for your hearing healthcare professional to understand what might be causing your hearing loss, and how they might best treat it. Your audiologist wants to know about any health conditions you have and any medications you’re taking, as well as any information you can provide about your lifestyle. It can help them to see how much loud noise you’re exposed to, for example.
Don’t Change Your Lifestyle
Changing your lifestyle, such as smoking or eating too much, could cause further damage to your hearing. You should not do this until you have an opportunity to try a hearing aid and see how it works for you.