For you and the people you love, coping with hearing loss can be difficult to adjust to. Sometimes, it can even be dangerous.
What if you can’t hear a fire alarm or somebody yelling your name? Car noises can indicate hazards ahead, but if you have untreated hearing loss, you won’t be able to hear them.
Don’t worry about the “what ifs”. The first thing that somebody with untreated hearing loss needs to do is get a hearing assessment. For individuals with hearing aids, we have a few tips 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 go out
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 that they are easier to hear.
2. Stay focused when you’re driving
Because you can depend less on your hearing, it’s important to reduce other distractions when driving. Don’t use your phone or GPS while 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 getting behind the wheel.
If there are circumstances 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. Think about getting a service dog
You think of service animals as helpful for individuals with visual impairment, epilepsy, or other conditions. But if you have auditory issues, they can also be very helpful. You can be alerted to danger by a service dog. They can inform you when someone is at your door.
They can assist you with your hearing problems and they are also great companions.
4. Make a plan
Know what you’ll do before an emergency happens. Discuss it with other people. If you plan 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 designated spot that you’ll be outside the house.
This way, emergency workers, and your family will know where to find if something were to go wrong.
5. When you’re driving, adjust to visual cues
Over time, it’s likely that your hearing loss has gotten worse. If your hearing aids aren’t regularly fine-tuned, you may find yourself depending more on your eyes. Be alert to flashing lights on the road since you may not hear sirens. Be extra attentive when pedestrians are around.
6. Let friends and family know about your hearing trouble
No one wants to admit that they have hearing loss, but people close to you need to be aware of it. You might need to get to safety and people around you will be able to warn you about 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 might start making strange sounds that your hearing loss stops you from detecting. These sounds could point to a mechanical problem with your vehicle. If neglected, they can do long-term damage to your car or put you in danger. When you bring your vehicle in for routine maintenance, ask your mechanic to give your car an overall once-over.
8. Have your hearing loss treated
This is the most imperative thing you can do to stay safe. In order to know if you require a hearing aid, get your hearing examined annually. 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 all facets of your life.