Hearing loss is a widespread challenge for older individuals, but does it require quitting driving? The response isn’t clear-cut, as driving habits differ among individuals.
Even if some adjustments have to be made to the radio volume, hearing loss shouldn’t mean a competent driver needs to stop driving.
Whether hearing loss poses a risk while driving is a crucial consideration for individuals planning regular commutes or winter road trips. Is your driving becoming unsafe because of hearing loss?
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 dismiss your decline.
There is a solid link between hearing health and brain health, as reported by Johns Hopkins Medicine. The brain has to work overtime fighting to hear, which causes it to have fewer resources for other day-to-day activities. It has a detrimental effect on cognition and can play a role in the onset of dementia. An individual suffering from dementia certainly can’t drive.
If you have hearing loss, can you still drive?
You can still drive with hearing loss, but it should be mentioned that safe driving requires good observational skills including auditory awareness. The Center for Hearing and Communication estimates around 48 million Americans have substantial hearing loss, and a good portion of them still drive.
Guidelines for driving if you have hearing loss
With a few adjustments, you can still continue to be safe on the road. Here are some tips.
Stop putting off
Come in to see us for a hearing exam and find out if hearing aids will help your condition. Hearing aids can help remove the “should I be driving with hearing loss” question.
When you drive, be more observant
You will still need to be observant about what’s going on around your vehicle even if you have hearing aids.
Don’t let it get too loud in your car
This will let you focus your listening on driving without distractions. Turn the radio off 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 mount up when you drive with hearing loss. You may not be able to hear that clicking noise that your turn signal makes, for example. You will have to depend 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
Maybe your car is making a strange noise in the engine but you can’t hear it. Get your car serviced regularly so you can avoid this major safety hazard. For individuals with hearing loss, this is important, 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 everybody but if you have hearing loss it’s even more poignant. You might not hear emergency sirens, for instance, so if the cars are pulling off to the side, you should as well. Use the actions of other drivers to get some visual hints about traffic patterns around you.
Can you drive when you have hearing loss? That’s up to you. It is possible to be a safe driver even if your hearing is not what it once was because most likely your other senses will help you make the adjustment. But if you’re feeling concerned 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 improve your quality of life by investigating the hearing options that will be suited to 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