For you and the people you love, coping with hearing loss can take some work to adjust to. Sometimes, it can even be dangerous.
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 untreated hearing loss, you won’t be able to 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 are dealing with untreated hearing loss, getting a hearing assessment is the first thing you need to do. Here are a few recommendations to help keep individuals with hearing aids and their loved ones safer whether or not they’re using their hearing aid.
1. Don’t go out by yourself
If you can, take somebody with you who is not struggling to hear. If you need to go out by yourself, request that people come closer and look at you when they talk.
2. Avoid distractions when you’re driving
It’s important to remain focused when you’re driving because you can’t rely on your hearing as much for cues. Pull off the road if you need to plot a route and avoid your phone and GPS. Before driving, if you are concerned that you might have a problem 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 reason to be embarrassed. Safety first!
3. Consider a service animal
For individuals who have loss of vision, epilepsy, or other problems, a service animal seems obvious. But they can also be extremely helpful to individuals with auditory challenges. A service dog can be trained to alert you to hazards. They can let you know when someone is at your door.
They can help you with your hearing problems and they are also good companions.
4. Make a plan
Determine what you’ll do before an emergency happens. Speak with others in your life about it. If you’re planning to move into the basement during a tornado, be sure your family knows where they’ll find you. In case of a fire, plan a delegated location that you’ll be outside the house.
This way, emergency personnel, and your family will know where you will be if something were to go wrong.
5. When you’re driving, adjust to visual clues
Over time, it’s likely that your hearing loss has gotten worse. You might need to rely on your eyes more if you don’t routinely have your hearing aids calibrated. You may not hear sirens so watch out for flashing lights. Be extra vigilant when pedestrians are nearby.
6. Let family and friends know about your limitations
Nobody wants to disclose that they have hearing loss, but people in your life need to know. They can warn you about something you may not hear so that you can get to safety. If they’re not aware that you’re unable to hear, they will think that you hear it too.
7. Be vigilant about the maintenance of your vehicle
As somebody living with hearing loss, you may not be able to hear unusual thumps, clicks, or screeches when you’re driving. These can signal a serious problem. If dismissed, they can do long-term damage to your vehicle or put you at risk. It’s a good idea to ask a trustworthy mechanic for their opinion on the condition of your vehicle when you bring it in for an oil change or inspection.
8. Have your hearing loss treated
If you want to be safe, getting your hearing loss treated is vital. In order to know if you require a hearing aid, get your hearing screened annually. Don’t hesitate because of time constraints, money, or pride. Hearing aids these days are very functional, affordable, and discreet. A hearing aid can help you remain safer in many settings at home, work, park, shopping, and driving.