Lots of older people have hearing loss, but does that mean it’s unsafe for them to drive? The response isn’t straightforward, as driving habits vary among individuals.
Even if some adjustments have to be made to the volume of the radio, hearing loss shouldn’t mean a competent driver has to stop driving.
Whether hearing loss presents a risk while driving is a crucial consideration for individuals planning daily commutes or winter road trips. Is your driving becoming unsafe because of hearing loss?
Think beyond driving…
Early stage hearing loss likely won’t negatively impact your driving, but if it goes untreated, driving will become progressively more unsafe.
There is a strong link between hearing health and brain health, as reported by Johns Hopkins Medicine. The brain has to work overtime struggling to hear, which causes it to have fewer resources for other everyday activities. It has a negative effect on cognition and can play a role in the onset of dementia. Driving is definitely out of the question for someone who has dementia.
Should you drive with hearing loss?
Driving requires robust 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.
Tips for driving if you have hearing loss
You can still be a safe driver if you make some adjustments and follow these guidelines.
Stop procrastinating
Visit us, get a hearing test, 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.
Be a more observant driver
Even if you have hearing aids, you will still need to be a more aware driver to ensure you aren’t missing anything in or around your vehicle.
Don’t let it get too noisy in your car
This will help you be less distracted. Ask your passengers to chat more quietly and keep the radio down or off.
Remember to look at your dashboard often
It’s the little things that will mount up when you drive with hearing loss. You may not be able to hear that clicking noise that your turn signal makes, for instance. So routinely check your dashboard because your eyes will have to compensate.
Make maintenance a priority
You might not hear that rattling noise under the hood anymore or the warning alarm telling you there is a problem with your engine or another crucial component. Get your car serviced routinely so you can avoid this major safety risk. That’s a good idea for most people but a necessity if you are driving with hearing loss.
Pay attention to other vehicles around you
This is a no-brainer for everybody but if you have hearing loss it’s even more poignant. You might not hear emergency sirens, for example, so if the cars are pulling off to the side, you should too. Use the behavior of other drivers to get some visual clues about traffic patterns around you.
Can you drive with hearing loss? That’s up to you. It is possible to be a good driver even if your hearing is not what it used to be because odds are your other senses will help you make the adjustment. But if you’re feeling concerned about it, make an appointment to come see if we can help you improve your situation, possibly by using hearing aids.
Come in and let us help you better your quality of life by looking at the hearing solutions that will be appropriate for your unique hearing situation.
References
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss
http://chchearing.org/facts-about-hearing-loss