Hearing loss is a common challenge for older individuals, but does it warrant giving up driving? The response isn’t straightforward, as driving habits vary among individuals.
While hearing loss is a component to think about when operating a vehicle, a competent driver remains proficient even if they have to adjust the volume on the radio.
For people who commute frequently the question of whether hearing loss creates a threat while driving is an important consideration. Is your driving becoming hazardous because of hearing loss?
Think beyond driving…
Early stage hearing loss probably won’t negatively impact your driving, but if it goes untreated, driving will become increasingly unsafe.
Johns Hopkins Medicine has found there is a definite connection between hearing and brain health. The brain has to work overtime fighting to hear, which causes it to have fewer resources for other everyday tasks. It is a contributing factor to brain atrophy, which results in dementia. Someone suffering from dementia certainly can’t drive.
If you have hearing loss, can you still drive?
Driving demands good 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 reports that about 48 million Americans have significant hearing loss, and a good portion of them still drive.
Driving with hearing loss
With a few adjustments, you can still continue to be safe on the road. Here are some tips.
Stop procrastinating
Visit us, have your hearing tested, and think about how hearing aids can change things for you. Hearing aids can help eliminate the “should I be driving with hearing loss” question.
Be a more aware driver
Even with hearing aids, you will still need to be a more observant driver to make sure you’re not missing anything in or around your vehicle.
Keep the noise down inside your car
This will allow you to focus your listening on driving without distractions. Turn the radio off or down and ask your passengers to keep the chit-chat to a minimum.
Learn to look at your dashboard often
It’s the little things that will add up when you drive with hearing loss. For instance, you won’t hear that clicking sound that tells you that your turn signal is blinking. You will have to rely 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.
Make maintenance a priority
Perhaps your car is making a weird noise in the engine but you can’t hear it. That is a major safety risk, so make a point of having your car serviced routinely. That’s a smart idea for most people but a necessity if you are driving with hearing loss.
Watch the other cars closely
This is a no-brainer for everybody 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 may have missed the sirens. Look to see how other drivers are reacting to their surroundings to get hints on what you might not be hearing.
So is it possible to safely 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.
Come in and let us help you better your quality of life by looking at the hearing options that will be appropriate for your distinctive hearing situation.
References
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss
http://chchearing.org/facts-about-hearing-loss