Lots of older people have hearing loss, but does that mean it’s unsafe for them to drive? Driving habits differ amongst different individuals so the response isn’t straightforward.
Even if some adjustments need to be made to the radio volume, hearing loss shouldn’t mean a skilled driver has to quit driving.
For individuals who commute frequently the question of whether hearing loss presents a threat while driving is a significant consideration. Is your driving becoming hazardous because of hearing loss?
Think beyond driving…
Early stage hearing loss most likely won’t negatively effect your driving, but if it’s neglected, driving will become increasingly hazardous.
Johns Hopkins Medicine has found there is a distinct link between hearing and brain health. The brain has to work extra hard fighting to hear, which causes it to have fewer resources for other everyday tasks. It has a detrimental effect on cognition and can contribute to the onset of dementia. Driving is definitely off the table for somebody with dementia.
Should you drive with hearing loss?
You can continue to drive with hearing loss, but it should be mentioned that safe driving demands strong observational skills including auditory awareness. Among the approximately 48 million Americans who suffer from hearing loss, the majority of them still drive as reported by the Center for Hearing Communication.
Driving with hearing loss
With some adjustments, you can still remain safe on the road. Here are some tips.
Stop putting off
Come in to see us for a hearing exam and find out if hearing aids will help your condition. The question of whether you should be driving can be eliminated by using hearing aids.
When you drive, be more aware
You will still need to be observant about what’s going on around your vehicle even if you have hearing aids.
Don’t let it get too loud in your car
This will help you be less distracted. Ask your passengers to chat more quietly and keep the radio down or off.
Keep an eye on your dash lights
When you drive with hearing loss, the little things can mount up. You may not be able to hear that clicking noise that your turn signal makes, for instance. You will have to rely on your eyes to pick up the slack, so get used to scanning your dashboard to see what your car is trying to tell you.
Keep your vehicle well maintained
You may not hear that rattling noise under the hood now or the warning bell alerting you to a problem with your engine or another essential component. That is a major safety risk, so make a point of getting your car serviced regularly. For people with hearing loss, this is crucial, even more so than it would be for someone who doesn’t have hearing loss.
Pay attention to other vehicles around you
Obviously, you would do that anyway, but you want to look for signs you might be missing something. You may not hear emergency sirens, for instance, so if the cars are pulling off to the side, you should as well. Use the actions of other drivers to get some visual hints about traffic patterns around you.
Can you drive when you have hearing loss? It’s really a personal decision. Your other senses will typically adjust to help keep you safe, which means it is possible to drive safely even if your hearing has started to go. If the thought of this makes you uneasy, though, then it’s time to come see us and find a solution to improve your situation, like wearing hearing aids.
Contact us today to schedule your hearing exam and explore hearing aid solutions for your unique lifestyle.
References
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss
http://chchearing.org/facts-about-hearing-loss