Coping with hearing loss can be quite an adjustment for you and your family members. It can also come with some hazards.
What’s going to happen if you can’t hear a smoke detector or somebody calling your name? If you have untreated hearing loss, you won’t be able to hear those car sounds that may be signaling an impending hazard.
Don’t stress yourself out over the “what ifs”. The first thing that a person with neglected hearing loss should do is get a hearing test. Here are several recommendations to help keep individuals with hearing aids and their families safer whether or not they are using their hearing aid.
1. Bring a friend with you when you go out
Bring somebody with good hearing out with you if possible. If you have to go out by yourself, ask people to come closer and look at you when they talk.
2. Avoid distractions when you’re driving
It’s important to stay focused when you’re driving because you can’t rely on your hearing as much for cues. Pull off the road if you need to plot a route and avoid your phone and GPS. Before driving, if you are concerned that you might have an issue with your hearing, call us for an evaluation.
Don’t feel ashamed if you need to turn off the radio or request that passengers stop talking during more decisive moments of your drive. Safety first!
3. Think about getting a service animal
You think of service animals as helpful for people with loss of vision, epilepsy, or other disorders. But if you have auditory challenges, they can also be very helpful. You can be alerted to danger by a service dog. They can inform you when someone is at your door.
Not only can they assist you with these challenges, but they also make a great companion.
4. Have a plan
Before an emergency comes about, make a plan. Talk to people in your life about it. As an example, make sure your family is aware that you will be in the basement in the case of a tornado. Plan a specific location outside your house in the case of a fire.
This way, emergency workers, and your family will know where to find if something were to happen.
5. When you’re driving, pay attention to visual cues
Over time, it’s likely that your hearing loss has gotten worse. You may need to depend on your eyes more if you don’t routinely get your hearing aids calibrated. You might not hear sirens so watch out for flashing lights. Be extra vigilant when pedestrians are around.
6. Let family and friends know about your hearing trouble
Nobody wants to disclose that they have hearing loss, but those close to you need to be aware of it. They can alert you to something you might not hear so that you can go to safety. If they’re not aware that you can’t hear, they will think that you hear it too.
7. Be diligent about the maintenance of your vehicle
As a person living with hearing loss, you may not be able to hear strange thumps, clicks, or screeches when you drive. These can signal a serious issue. Your car could take serious damage and your safety may be at risk if these sounds aren’t dealt with. When you bring your vehicle in for routine maintenance, ask your mechanic to give your car an overall once-over.
8. Get your hearing loss treated
If you want to be safe, getting your hearing loss treated is essential. In order to identify if you need to get a hearing aid, have your hearing screened annually. Don’t let pride, money, or time constraints deter you. Modern hearing aids are discreet, functional, and very affordable. A hearing aid can help you stay safer in all facets of your life.