Having your hearing go out is a bit scary. Know that you are not alone in this troubling time however, and with advances in medical science it is quite possible to live a normal lifestyle still. One in eight people will experience hearing loss in life according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. However, as with most medical problems there are varying degrees which will determine your treatment plan.

Most of this can be determined with a simple hearing test, but there are some things you should do when preparing for a hearing test:

Rule Out Other Causes

While hearing problems are certainly no joke, before your test is a good time to figure out if you have any outstanding problems that would be short term. This is especially true for ear infections, which are highly reversible and a surprisingly common cause of hearing loss.

Another large factor is often a rather severe buildup of earwax in your ear which can also cause hearing problems but once again is really easy to fix. These little things could be the culprit all along and require further examination than a simple hearing test could provide.

Talk To Your Doctor About Your Medications

Alarmingly, there are a number of medications that can actually contribute to hearing loss and damage your eardrums. Before a test you should consult with your doctor and make sure that any of the medications you are on might not be further damaging your ear. This way you can nip the problem in the bud and find alternative medicines before you damage your ear any further.

Limit Your Exposure To Noise For Maximum Result

Ultimately, if you decide to go through with a hearing test it is quite wise to avoid any and all loud noises for 16 hours prior to examination. Loud noises can aggravate existing conditions making the hearing test not turn out as clearly as it should. This especially effects people that experience tinnitus, as the ringing in your ears might be aggravated by painful sound which can cause the results of your test to become muddled. 

If Your Hearing Loss Is Sudden, Go To The Doctor

If suddenly you find yourself losing your hearing in the span of a single day or week you may want to rush right over to the doctor, because it could be something much more serious. The culprit here is usually a viral infections that can cause damage to other parts of your body if you do not get it checked out right away. Generally, ear trauma aside, hearing loss should never occur suddenly.

Regardless, the following tips above should help ensure that you have a normal hearing test and get you back on track for living a normal life.