For you and the people in your life, living with hearing loss can take some work to adjust to. Sometimes, it can even be hazardous.
What’s going to happen if you can’t hear a smoke detector or someone calling your name? If you have untreated hearing loss, you won’t hear those car noises that could be signaling an approaching hazard.
But the “what ifs” aren’t something you need to stress over. The first thing that somebody with untreated hearing loss should do is get a hearing assessment. Here are a few tips to help keep individuals with hearing aids and their loved ones safer whether or not they’re wearing their hearing aid.
1. Don’t go out by yourself
Bring somebody with healthy hearing out with you if possible. If you need to go out alone, ask people to come closer and look at you when they talk.
2. Avoid distractions while driving
It’s essential to remain focused when you’re driving because you can’t depend on your hearing as much for cues. Don’t use your phone or GPS when you’re driving, just pull over if you need to change your route. Before driving, if you are worried that you may have an issue with your hearing, call us for an assessment.
Don’t feel embarrassed if you need to turn off the radio or request that passengers stop talking during more critical moments of your drive. It’s better to err on the side of caution!
3. Think about getting a service animal
You think of service animals as helpful for people with visual impairment, epilepsy, or other disorders. But they can also be really helpful to individuals with auditory problems. A service dog can be trained to alert you to hazards. They can let you know when someone is at your door.
Not only can they assist you with these challenges, but they also make a terrific companion.
4. Make a plan
Know what you’ll do before an emergency strikes. Talk it over it with other people. If you’re planning to go into the basement during a tornado, be sure your family knows where they’ll find you. Plan a specific location outside your house in the case of a fire.
This way, emergency personnel, and your family will know where to find if something were to happen.
5. Pay extra attention to visual clues when driving
Over time, it’s likely that your hearing loss has worsened. You may need to rely on your eyes more if you don’t routinely have your hearing aids calibrated. Be aware of flashing lights on the road since you may not hear sirens. Be extra diligent when pedestrians are nearby.
6. Let friends and family know about your hearing trouble
No one wants to admit that they have hearing loss, but people in your life need to be aware of it. You might need to get to safety and people around you will be able to make you aware of something you may have missed. If they don’t know that you’re unable to hear, they will think that you hear it too.
7. Keep your car well-maintained
Your car may start making strange sounds that your hearing loss stops you from hearing. These can indicate a serious issue. Your car could take significant damage and your safety could be at risk if these noises aren’t addressed. It’s a smart idea to ask a trustworthy mechanic for their opinion on the condition of your vehicle when you take it in for an oil change or inspection.
8. Get your hearing impairment treated
If you want to be safe, getting your hearing loss treated is crucial. In order to identify if you need to get a hearing aid, get your hearing screened annually. Don’t let pride, money, or time constraints stop you. Hearing aids today are very functional, affordable, and unobtrusive. A hearing aid can help you stay safer in many settings at home, work, park, shopping, and driving.
