Lots of older individuals 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 need to be made to the volume of the radio, hearing loss shouldn’t mean a competent driver needs to quit driving.
For individuals who commute frequently the question of whether hearing loss poses 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 substantial impact on your ability to drive…yet. That day is coming, though, if you choose to just disregard your decline.
Johns Hopkins Medicine has found there is a distinct connection between hearing and brain health. The brain has to work extra hard fighting to hear, which causes it to have fewer resources for other daily activities. It is a contributing factor to brain atrophy, which leads to dementia. Driving is definitely off the table for a person with dementia.
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.
Driving with hearing loss
With a few adjustments, you can still remain safe on the road. Here are some tips.
Quit putting off
Visit us, have your hearing tested, and think about 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 observant
You will still need to be aware of what’s going on around your vehicle even if you use hearing aids.
Keep the noise down inside your car
This will allow you to focus your listening on driving without being distracted. Turn the radio off or down and ask your passengers to keep the chit-chat to a minimum.
Keep an eye on your dash lights
It’s the little things that will add up when you drive with hearing loss. You may not be capable of hearing that clicking noise that your turn signal makes, for example. You will have to rely on your eyes to pick up the slack, so get in the habit of checking your dashboard to see what your car is trying to tell you.
Keep your vehicle well maintained
You might 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. Have your car serviced routinely so you can prevent this significant safety hazard. For individuals with hearing loss, this is crucial, even more so than it would be for somebody without hearing loss.
Pay close attention to other vehicles around you
This is a no-brainer for everyone but if you have hearing loss it’s even more poignant. You may not hear emergency sirens, for instance, so if the cars are pulling over to the side, you should too. watch to see how other drivers are reacting to their surroundings to get hints on what you may not be hearing.
Can you drive when you have hearing loss? It’s really a personal decision. Your other senses will normally adjust to help keep you safe, which means it is possible to drive safely even if your hearing is beginning to go. If the idea makes you anxious, though, then it’s time to consult us and find a treatment to improve your situation, like wearing hearing aids.
Call us right away to schedule your hearing test and explore 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
