For you and the people you love, living with hearing loss can be difficult to adjust to. It can also come with some dangers.
What happens if a fire alarm is going off or someone is yelling out your name but you’re unable to hear them? If you have neglected hearing loss, you won’t be able to hear those car noises that may be signaling an approaching threat.
Don’t worry about the “what ifs”. The first thing that someone with untreated hearing loss should do is get a hearing assessment. Here are several tips to help keep people with hearing aids and their families safer whether or not they are wearing their hearing aid.
1. Don’t go out alone
If possible, take somebody with you who isn’t struggling to hear. If that’s not possible, ask people to face you when speaking to you so they are easier to hear.
2. Avoid distractions when you’re driving
It’s essential to remain focused while driving because you can’t rely on your hearing as much for cues. Don’t use your phone or GPS while driving, just pull over if you need to change your route. Before driving, if you are worried that you might have an issue with your hearing, call us for an evaluation.
Don’t feel embarrassed if you have to turn off the radio or ask passengers to stop talking during more critical moments of your drive. Safety first!
3. Think about getting a service animal
For individuals who have visual impairment, epilepsy, or other issues, a service dog seems obvious. But they can also be really helpful to people with auditory problems. A service dog can be trained to warn you of hazards. When someone is at your door they can inform you.
Not only can they assist you with these problems, but they also make a wonderful companion.
4. Make a plan
Identify what you’ll do before an emergency strikes. Discuss it with other people. As an example, make sure your family knows that you will be in the basement if a tornado hits. In case of a fire, plan a specified location that you’ll be outside the house.
This way, emergency personnel, and your family will know where to find if something were to go wrong.
5. When you’re driving, adjust to visual cues
Your hearing loss has probably gotten worse over time. You might need to depend on your eyes more if you don’t routinely get your hearing aids tuned. You might not hear sirens so be aware of flashing lights. Be extra vigilant when pedestrians are around.
6. Let family and friends know about your limitations
Nobody wants to admit that they have hearing loss, but people close to you need to know. They can warn you about something you might not hear so that you can get to safety. They most likely won’t bother alerting you if they think you hear it too.
7. Keep your car well-maintained
As a person living with hearing loss, you might not be able to hear unusual thumps, clicks, or screeches when you’re driving. These can signal a serious issue. Your car could take significant damage and your safety may be at risk if these noises aren’t dealt with. When you take your vehicle in for routine maintenance, ask your mechanic to give your car a general once-over.
8. Have your hearing impairment treated
If you want to stay safe, having your hearing loss treated is vital. In order to identify if you need to get a hearing aid, have your hearing examined yearly. Don’t allow pride, money, or time constraints deter you. Modern hearing aids are discreet, functional, and surprisingly affordable. A hearing aid can help you stay safer in many settings at home, work, park, shopping, and driving.