For you and the people in your life, coping with hearing loss can take some work to adjust to. It can also come with some perils.
What’s going to happen if you can’t hear a fire alarm or someone calling your name? If you have neglected hearing loss, you won’t hear those car noises that may be signaling an approaching hazard.
But the “what ifs” aren’t something you need to stress over. If you have untreated hearing loss, getting a hearing exam is the first thing you need to do. For individuals with hearing aids, we have some recommendations to help you and your loved ones remain safe, even when you’re not likely to be wearing your hearing aids.
1. Take a friend with you when you leave the house
Bring someone with good hearing out with you if you can. If you need to go out alone, request that people come closer and look at you when they talk.
2. Stay focused when you drive
It’s essential to stay focused while driving because you can’t depend on your hearing as much for cues. Pull off the road if you need to plot a route and stay away from your phone and GPS. Before you drive, if you are worried that you may have an issue with your hearing, call us for an assessment.
If there are times while you’re driving that you may need to have your passengers quiet down or turn off the radio, there’s no shame. Safety first!
3. Think about getting a service animal
For people who have loss of vision, epilepsy, or other problems, a service animal seems obvious. But they can also be really helpful to people with auditory issues. A service dog can be trained to alert you to danger. When somebody is at your door they can inform you.
They can assist you with your hearing problems and they are also wonderful companions.
4. Have a plan
Determine what you’ll do before an emergency strikes. Speak with people in your life about it. If you plan to move into the basement during a tornado, make sure your family knows where they’ll find you. In case of a fire, plan a delegated place that you’ll be outside the house.
This way, if something were to go wrong and you became trapped, family and emergency personnel can act rapidly to assist you.
5. Adjust yourself to visual clues when driving
Your hearing loss has most likely worsened over time. If your hearing aids aren’t regularly adjusted, you might find yourself relying more on your eyes. Be alert to flashing lights on the road since you may not hear sirens. When children or pedestrians are nearby, be extra attentive.
6. Let friends and family know about your hearing trouble
Nobody wants to disclose that they have hearing loss, but those close to you need to be aware of it. You may need to get to safety and those around you will be able to warn you about something you may have missed. They most likely won’t bother alerting you if they think you hear it too.
7. Be diligent about the maintenance of your vehicle
Your car might begin making unusual noises that your hearing loss stops you from detecting. These sounds may indicate a mechanical issue with your vehicle. Your car could take serious damage and your safety could be in danger if these sounds aren’t dealt with. When you bring your vehicle in for routine maintenance, ask your mechanic to give your car a general once-over.
8. Address your hearing loss
If you want to stay safe, having your hearing loss treated is essential. Get your hearing assessed annually to determine when your hearing loss is substantial enough to require an assistive device. Don’t allow pride, money, or time constraints stop you. Hearing aids nowadays are very functional, affordable, and unobtrusive. A hearing aid can help you remain safer in many settings at home, work, park, shopping, and driving.
