Living with hearing loss can be quite an adjustment for you and your loved ones. Sometimes, it can even be hazardous.
What if you can’t hear a smoke detector or someone calling your name? Car noises can signal hazards ahead, but if you have untreated hearing loss, you won’t be able to hear them.
But the “what ifs” aren’t something you should worry about. The first thing that a person with neglected hearing loss should do is get a hearing assessment. Here are some recommendations to help keep people with hearing aids and their loved ones safer whether or not they’re wearing their hearing aid.
1. Take a friend with you when you go out
If possible, bring somebody with you who isn’t dealing with hearing loss. If you need to go out by yourself, ask people to come closer and look at you when they talk.
2. Avoid distractions while driving
Because you can depend on your hearing less, it’s important to reduce other distractions when driving. Don’t use your phone or GPS when you’re driving, just pull over if you need to change your route. If you suspect you have a problem with your hearing aid, come see us before driving.
If there are times while you’re driving that you might need to have your passengers quiet down or turn off the radio, there’s no reason to be embarrassed. Safety first!
3. Consider a service animal
You think of service animals as helpful for those with loss of vision, epilepsy, or other conditions. But they can also be very helpful to people who have auditory issues. You can be warned about danger by a service dog. When someone is at your door they can inform you.
They can help you with your hearing issues and they are also excellent companions.
4. Have a plan
Determine what you’ll do before an emergency hits. Speak with others in your life about it. If you’re planning to move into the basement during a tornado, be certain your family knows where they’ll find you. In case of a fire, choose a delegated location that you’ll be outside the house.
This way, if something were to happen and you became trapped, family and emergency personnel can act rapidly to help you.
5. Adjust yourself to visual clues while driving
Your hearing loss has likely gotten worse over time. If your hearing aids aren’t regularly fine-tuned, you might find yourself relying more on your eyes. You might not hear sirens so look out for flashing lights. Be extra attentive when pedestrians are nearby.
6. Let friends and family know about your hearing trouble
No one wants to admit that they have hearing impairment, but people close to you need to be aware of it. They can warn you about something you might not hear so that you can go to safety. If they don’t know that you can’t hear, they will think that you hear it too.
7. Be vigilant about the maintenance of your vehicle
As a person living with hearing loss, you might not be able to hear strange thumps, clicks, or screeches when you’re driving. These noises could indicate a mechanical problem with your vehicle. If dismissed, they can do long-term damage to your car or put you at risk. When you take your vehicle in for routine maintenance, ask your mechanic to give your car an overall once-over.
8. Treat your hearing loss
If you want to be safe, having your hearing loss treated is vital. In order to know if you require a hearing aid, get your hearing tested yearly. Don’t let pride, money, or time constraints stop you. Hearing aids these days are very functional, affordable, and discreet. A hearing aid can help you remain safer in many situations at home, work, park, shopping, and driving.