Hearing loss is a widespread challenge for older individuals, but does it require quitting driving? Driving habits differ amongst different people so the response isn’t clear-cut.
While hearing loss is a component to consider when operating a vehicle, a skilled driver remains proficient even if they have to lower the volume on the radio.
Whether hearing loss poses a risk while driving is a critical consideration for those planning regular commutes or winter road trips. Is your driving becoming hazardous because of hearing loss?
Think beyond driving…
Early stage hearing loss most likely won’t negatively effect your driving, but if it’s neglected, driving will become increasingly unsafe.
Johns Hopkins Medicine has found there is a distinct link between hearing and brain health. Battling to hear forces the brain to use valuable resources just to understand what people are saying. It has a negative impact on cognition and can contribute to the onset of dementia. Someone suffering from dementia certainly can’t drive.
If you have hearing loss, can you still drive?
Driving demands robust observational skills and some of that is auditory, but that doesn’t mean you can’t drive if you have hearing loss. The Center for Hearing and Communication estimates about 48 million Americans have substantial hearing loss, and a good number of them still drive.
Tips for driving if you have hearing loss
With some adjustments, you can still continue to be safe on the road. Here are some tips.
Stop procrastinating
Come in to see us for a hearing test and find out if hearing aids will help your situation. Hearing aids can help remove the “should I be driving with hearing loss” question.
When you drive, be more aware
Even with hearing aids, you will still need to be a more aware driver to ensure you’re not missing anything in or around your vehicle.
Keep the noise down inside your car
This will help you be less distracted. 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 instance. You will have to depend on your eyes to pick up the slack, so get used to scanning your dashboard to see what your car is trying to tell you.
Keep your vehicle well maintained
Perhaps your car is making a weird noise in the engine but you can’t hear it. That is a significant safety risk, so make a point of having your car serviced regularly. That’s a smart plan for most individuals but a necessity if you are driving with hearing loss.
Watch the other cars closely
Obviously, 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 behavior of other drivers to get some visual clues about traffic patterns around you.
So is it possible to safely drive with 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. If the thought of this makes you nervous, though, then it’s time to consult us and find a treatment to improve your situation, like wearing hearing aids.
Come in and let us help you improve your quality of life by investigating the hearing options that will be suitable for 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
