Lots of older individuals experience hearing loss, but does that mean it’s hazardous for them to drive? Driving habits vary amongst different people so the response isn’t straightforward.
While hearing loss is a component to think about when driving a vehicle, a competent driver remains capable even if they have to adjust the radio volume.
For individuals who commute on a regular basis the question of whether hearing loss creates a threat while driving is a crucial consideration. Is your hearing loss making you a hazardous driver?
Think beyond driving…
If you are noticing hearing loss, it won’t have a significant impact on your driving ability…yet. That day is coming, though, if you decide to just ignore your decline.
Johns Hopkins Medicine has found there is a distinct relationship between hearing and brain health. Battling to hear forces the brain to use valuable resources just to comprehend what people are saying. It has a negative effect on cognition and can contribute to the onset of dementia. Somebody suffering from dementia certainly can’t drive.
If you have hearing loss, can you still drive?
Driving requires robust observational skills and some of that is auditory, but that doesn’t mean you can’t drive with hearing loss. Among the approximately 48 million Americans who suffer from hearing loss, most of them still drive as reported by the Center for Hearing Communication.
Guidelines for driving if you have hearing loss
With some adjustments, you can still continue to be safe on the road. Here are some tips.
Quit procrastinating
Visit us, have your hearing tested, and consider how hearing aids can change things for you. The question of whether you should be driving can be eliminated by using hearing aids.
When you drive, be more aware
Even with hearing aids, you will still need to be a more aware driver to make sure you’re not missing anything in or around your vehicle.
Don’t let it get too noisy 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
It’s the little things that will add up when you drive with hearing loss. For example, you will no longer hear that clicking sound that lets you know that your turn signal is on. You will have to rely on your eyes to compensate, so get used to checking your dashboard to see what your car is attempting to tell you.
Keep your vehicle well maintained
Maybe your car is making a strange noise in the engine but you can’t hear it. Get your car serviced regularly so you can avoid this significant safety risk. That’s a good idea for most people but a necessity if you are driving with hearing loss.
Pay attention to other vehicles around you
This is a no-brainer for everybody but if you have hearing loss it’s even more poignant. You may not hear emergency sirens, for example, so if the cars are pulling off to the side, you should too. Use the behavior of other drivers to get some visual hints about traffic patterns around you.
Can you drive with hearing loss? It’s really a personal decision. Your other senses will usually adjust to help keep you safe, which means it is feasible to drive safely even if your hearing has started to go. But if you’re feeling worried about it, schedule an appointment to come see if we can help you better your situation, possibly with hearing aids.
Call us right away to schedule your hearing test and explore hearing aid solutions for your distinctive lifestyle.
References
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss
http://chchearing.org/facts-about-hearing-loss