Regardless of whether you commute to work every day or if you only take your car out for long road trips every few months, you know how important it is to drive safely. When you’re diagnosed with hearing loss, it’s reasonable to wonder if driving is still safe. The answer, luckily, is yes.
How is Driving With Hearing Loss Different?
Driving with hearing loss isn’t really all that different than driving without. That said, there are a few subtle tweaks or extra safety tips you can employ to accommodate for the lack of auditory information. Many of the tips are the same as driving without hearing loss; it’s just that the reliance on them is slightly higher:
- Double-check your mirrors. Everyone should double-check their mirrors at least once every three to 10 seconds. If you have hearing loss, this tip is especially important because checking your mirrors will alert you to things like sirens or motorcyclists that you may not have heard.
- Scan your windshield on the highway. Highway hypnosis is the phenomenon of zoning out while driving without realizing it. The hypnosis is easy to fall into on long road trips or when you’re feeling tired. Regularly scanning your eyes across the windshield will help keep your mind engaged.
- Turn down the radio. The radio adds an extra layer of distraction that can prevent you from noticing things you might otherwise have heard. Keep the radio at a low to medium volume so you can pick up on horns or sirens if your hearing loss allows.
- Block distracting passenger behavior. Ask your passengers to avoid distracting behavior like gesturing, dancing or yelling that could steal your attention from the road or drown out important safety sounds.
- Wear hearing aids. An estimated 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from hearing aids. These devices will alert you to important safety sounds while driving. Don’t forget to charge and clean your hearing aids for the clearest sound possible.
Schedule a Hearing Aid Service
If it’s been a while since your last service, or you need to schedule an initial hearing aid consultation, contact Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants today.
Sources
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. (2021, March 25). Quick statistics about hearing. National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders. Nidcd. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing