Many older individuals experience hearing loss, but does that mean it’s hazardous for them to drive? Driving habits differ amongst different people so the response isn’t clear-cut.
Even if some adjustments have to be made to the volume of the radio, hearing loss shouldn’t mean a seasoned driver needs to quit driving.
Whether hearing loss presents a risk while driving is an important consideration for people planning daily commutes or winter road trips. Is your hearing loss making you a dangerous driver?
Think beyond driving…
If you are noticing hearing loss, it won’t have a huge impact on your driving ability…yet. That day is coming, though, if you decide to just disregard your decline.
Johns Hopkins Medicine has found there is a distinct relationship between hearing and brain health. The brain has to work extra hard struggling to hear, which causes it to have fewer resources for other everyday activities. It is a contributing factor to brain atrophy, which leads to dementia. Driving is definitely out of the question for somebody who has dementia.
If you have hearing loss, can you still drive?
You can continue to drive with hearing loss, but it should be noted that safe driving requires strong observational skills and this includes auditory awareness. 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
You can still be a safe driver if you make some adjustments and use these tips.
Quit procrastinating
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
Even with hearing aids, you will still need to be a more observant driver to ensure you’re not missing anything in or around your vehicle.
Keep the noise down inside your car
This will allow you to focus your listening on driving without being distracted. Ask your passengers to chat more quietly and keep the radio down or off.
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 capable of hearing that clicking noise that your turn signal makes, for instance. You will have to depend on your eyes to compensate, so get in the habit of scanning your dashboard to see what your car is attempting to tell you.
Keep your vehicle well maintained
Maybe your car is making a strange noise in the engine but you are unable to hear it. Have your car serviced regularly so you can prevent this significant safety risk. That’s a smart idea for most individuals but a necessity if you are driving with hearing loss.
Watch the other cars closely
This is a no-brainer for everyone but if you have hearing loss it’s even more poignant. If you see other cars pulling to the side of the road, you should do that also because you may have missed the sirens. Look to see how other drivers are responding to their surroundings to get clues on what you may not be hearing.
So is it possible to safely drive with hearing loss? It’s really a personal decision. Your other senses will typically adjust to help keep you safe, which means it is possible to drive safely even if your hearing is beginning to go. But if you’re feeling concerned about it, schedule an appointment to come see if we can help you improve your situation, possibly with hearing aids.
Come in and let us help you better your quality of life by exploring 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