Lots of older people have hearing loss, but does that mean it’s unsafe for them to drive? The response isn’t straightforward, as driving habits differ among individuals.
Even if some adjustments have to be made to the volume of the radio, hearing loss shouldn’t mean a competent driver needs to quit driving.
Whether hearing loss poses a risk while driving is an important consideration for individuals planning regular commutes or winter road trips. Is your driving becoming hazardous because of hearing loss?
Think beyond driving…
If you are detecting hearing loss, it won’t have a substantial impact on your ability to drive…yet. That day is coming, though, if you decide to just disregard your decline.
There is a solid connection between hearing health and brain health, as reported by Johns Hopkins Medicine. The brain has to work overtime struggling to hear, which causes it to have fewer resources for other day-to-day tasks. It has a detrimental impact on cognition and can contribute to the onset of dementia. An individual suffering from dementia definitely can’t drive.
Should you drive with hearing loss?
Driving demands strong observational skills and some of that is auditory, but that doesn’t mean you can’t drive with hearing loss. The Center for Hearing and Communication estimates about 48 million Americans have substantial hearing loss, and a good number of them still drive.
Guidelines for driving if you have hearing loss
You can still be a safe driver if you make some adjustments and follow these guidelines.
Quit procrastinating
Visit us, get a hearing test, and consider how hearing aids can help things for you. Hearing aids can help get rid of the “should I be driving with hearing loss” question.
When you drive, be more aware
Even if you have hearing aids, you will still need to be a more observant driver to ensure you’re not missing anything in or around your vehicle.
Keep the noise down inside your car
This will help you be less distracted. Ask your passengers to talk more quietly and keep the radio down or off.
Learn to check your dashboard often
When you drive with hearing loss, the little things can mount up. You may not be capable of hearing that clicking sound that your turn signal makes, for example. You will have to depend on your eyes to pick up the slack, so get in the habit of scanning your dashboard to see what your car is trying to tell you.
Keep your vehicle well maintained
Maybe your car is making a strange noise in the engine but you are unable to hear it. That is a significant safety hazard, so make a point of having your car serviced regularly. For individuals with hearing loss, this is important, even more so than it would be for somebody who doesn’t have hearing loss.
Watch the other cars closely
This is a no-brainer for everyone but if you have hearing loss it’s even more poignant. If you see other cars pulling to the side of the road, you should do that also because you might have missed the sirens. watch to see how other drivers are reacting to their surroundings to get hints on what you might not be hearing.
Can you drive with hearing loss? That’s up to you. It is possible to be a safe driver even if your hearing is not what it used to be because odds are your other senses will help you make the adjustment. If the idea makes you uneasy, though, then it’s time to come see us and find a solution to improve your situation, like wearing hearing aids.
Give us a call right away to schedule your hearing exam and look into hearing aid options 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