We know that it can be nerve-wracking to take a test or start a new program, even when you know it’ll be good for your health and overall well-being. If you have an appointment for a hearing test coming up and you’re feeling anxious about it, know you’re not alone. To help you feel prepared and confident, let’s walk you through what to expect and what you can do to reduce your anxiety.

At your hearing test appointment, we’ll start off with a preliminary chat where we’ll get to know you and discuss your symptoms and anything else that might affect your hearing health, such as profession, medical history and lifestyle. This conversation is meant to be calm and comfortable.

After that, we’ll move into the diagnostic testing. Typically, we begin with a pure-tone test, which involves you sitting in a soundproof room with headphones on, listening to tones at various pitches and volumes and indicating when you hear a sound. This test is simple and painless, as are all the tests we could perform.

After the pure-tone test, we may elect to do other tests to assess other parts of your ear and how sound waves move through your auditory system. These tests may include bone conduction testing, speech testing or tympanometry, which should also be comfortable when performed. 

Once we’ve completed diagnostic testing, you’ll receive your results on a printout called an audiogram. This chart creates a visual of your hearing levels. Your audiologist will go over the results with you, taking as long as you need to absorb all the information. If we find hearing loss, we may recommend hearing aids. If we find an auditory processing disorder, listening exercises can help improve your understanding.

Knowing what to expect can help immensely in dealing with feelings of stress and anxiety. Here are some other techniques you can use to quiet the fight-or-flight response:

• Make a list of symptoms ahead of time. Get your thoughts in order and prepare for that preliminary conversation by listing out symptoms you or your loved ones have noticed in recent months. Studies show that making lists can help calm your brain down, sort your thoughts and slow down your heart rate, especially if you hand-write them. Moreover, walking into that conversation knowing you’re prepared for it will help you feel more confident.
• Research hearing aids. You may not need hearing aids, or your hearing loss may be best suited by a specific style of hearing aids, but you don’t know yet. To help prepare and feel less overwhelmed when presented with the options, do some research ahead of time on hearing aid styles and brands, and make a short, reasonable “wish list” of what you want. Laying this groundwork now will make the recommendations discussion less overwhelming later.
• Get at least seven hours of sleep. Feel rested and properly energized the day of your appointment by making sure you get enough sleep the night before. If you’re experiencing difficulty falling asleep, try a relaxing pre-bedtime routine, such as listening to soft music, journaling or doing some stretches to prepare your body for rest.
• Do something you enjoy. Reading a book, watching a funny movie or listening to your favorite music will put you in a calm, happy mood for your test.
• Bring someone along. Bringing someone you trust to your hearing test can make the experience feel less stressful. Having a friend or family member with you often helps you feel more relaxed and supported. Not only that, they may be able to provide more context or examples when in discussions with the audiologist and help you remember key details later on.

We want to be your trusted partners in your hearing loss journey, and we’re here to help make this process go as smoothly as possible. We hope this guide has put your mind at ease for your upcoming appointment. We’ll see you at our clinic very soon!