Hearing loss is a common challenge for older people, but does it merit giving up driving? Driving habits differ amongst different individuals so the response isn’t straightforward.

While hearing loss is a component to think about when operating a vehicle, a skilled driver is still proficient even if they have to lower the radio volume.

Whether hearing loss poses a risk while driving is a critical consideration for individuals planning everyday commutes or winter road trips. Is your driving becoming hazardous because of hearing loss?

Think beyond driving…

If you are detecting hearing loss, it won’t have a huge impact on your ability to drive…yet. That day is coming, though, if you decide to simply dismiss your decline.

Johns Hopkins Medicine has found there is a distinct relationship between hearing and brain health. Battling to hear forces the brain to use valuable resources just to comprehend what individuals are saying. It is a contributing factor to brain atrophy, which results in dementia. Driving is definitely off the table for a person who has dementia.

Should you drive with hearing loss?

You can continue to drive with hearing loss, but it should be mentioned that safe driving demands strong observational skills and this includes auditory awareness. Among the approximately 48 million Americans who suffer from hearing loss, the majority of them still drive as reported by the Center for Hearing Communication.

Tips for driving if you have hearing loss

With some adjustments, you can still stay safe on the road. Here are some tips.

Stop putting off

Come in to see us for a hearing test and find out if hearing aids will help your condition. Hearing aids can help eliminate the “should I be driving with hearing loss” question.

Be a more observant driver

You will still need to be observant about what’s happening around your vehicle even if you use hearing aids.

Don’t let it get too loud in your car

This will help you be less distracted. Turn the radio off or down 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 add up when you drive with hearing loss. You might not be able to hear that clicking sound that your turn signal makes, for example. You will have to rely on your eyes to pick up the slack, so get used to checking your dashboard to see what your car is trying to tell you.

Make maintenance a priority

You may not hear that rattling noise under the hood anymore or the warning bell telling you there is a problem with your engine or another critical component. Get your car serviced routinely so you can prevent this major safety risk. For people with hearing loss, this is crucial, even more so than it would be for someone without hearing loss.

Pay attention to other vehicles around you

Of course, you would do that anyway, but you want to look for signs you may be missing something. You might not hear emergency sirens, for instance, so if the cars are pulling off to the side, you should too. watch to see how other drivers are responding to their surroundings to get clues on what you might not be hearing.

Can you drive with hearing loss? That’s up to you. Your other senses will typically adjust to help keep you safe, which means it is feasible to drive safely even if your hearing has started 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.

Give us a call today to schedule your hearing exam and look into hearing aid options for your unique lifestyle.

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References
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss
http://chchearing.org/facts-about-hearing-loss