Hearing loss is a widespread challenge for older people, but does it merit quitting driving? The response isn’t straightforward, as driving habits vary among individuals.
While hearing loss is a factor to think about when operating a vehicle, a competent driver remains proficient even if they have to lower the radio volume.
Whether hearing loss poses a risk while driving is a crucial consideration for people planning regular commutes or winter road trips. Is your hearing loss making you a dangerous driver?
Think beyond driving…
If you are detecting hearing loss, it won’t have a substantial impact on your driving ability…yet. That day is coming, though, if you decide to simply dismiss your decline.
Johns Hopkins Medicine has found there is a definite connection between hearing and brain health. Battling to hear forces your brain to use valuable resources just to understand what people are saying. It has a detrimental effect on cognition and can contribute to the onset of dementia. Driving is definitely out of the question for someone with dementia.
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. Among the approximately 48 million Americans who have hearing loss, the majority of them still drive according to 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 procrastinating
Visit us, get a hearing test, and consider how hearing aids can change things for you. Hearing aids can help eliminate the “should I be driving with hearing loss” question.
When you drive, be more observant
Even with hearing aids, you will still need to be a more observant driver to ensure you aren’t missing anything in or around your vehicle.
Keep the noise down inside your car
This will let you focus your listening on driving without distractions. Turn the radio off or down and ask your passengers to keep the chatter to a minimum.
Keep an eye on your dash lights
When you drive with hearing loss, the little things can add up. You may not be able to hear that clicking sound that your turn signal makes, for example. So routinely check your dashboard because your eyes will need to pick up the slack.
Keep your vehicle well maintained
You might not hear that rattling noise under the hood anymore or the warning alarm telling you there is an issue with your engine or another essential component. That is a significant safety risk, 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 someone without hearing loss.
Watch the other cars closely
Of course, you would do that anyway, but you want to look for signs you may be missing something. If you see other cars pulling off the road, you should do that also because you may have missed the sirens. Use the actions of other drivers to get some visual clues about traffic patterns around you.
Can you drive when you have hearing loss? That’s up to you. It is possible to be a good driver even if your hearing isn’t what it once was because most likely your other senses will help you make the adjustment. If the idea makes you nervous, though, then it’s time to come see us and find a solution to improve your situation, like wearing hearing aids.
Call us 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
