For you and the people you love, coping with hearing loss can be difficult 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 be able to hear those car noises that could be signaling an impending threat.
But the “what ifs” aren’t something you should stress over. The first thing that someone with neglected hearing loss needs to do is get a hearing assessment. Here are some tips to help keep people with hearing aids and their families safer whether or not they are wearing their hearing aid.
1. Don’t go out by yourself
Bring somebody with good hearing out with you if possible. If that isn’t possible, request that people face you when speaking to you so that they are easier to hear.
2. Stay focused when you drive
Because you can rely on your hearing less, it’s essential to decrease other distractions when driving. Don’t use your phone or GPS while driving, just pull over if you need to reroute. Before driving, if you are worried that you might have an issue with your hearing, call us for an assessment.
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 shame. Safety first!
3. Think about getting a service dog
For people who have loss of vision, epilepsy, or other problems, a service animal seems obvious. But they can also be very helpful to people with auditory challenges. A service dog can be trained to alert you to danger. They can inform you when someone is at your door.
Not only can they assist you with these issues, but they also make a great companion.
4. Have a plan
Determine what you’ll do before an emergency hits. Discuss it with others. As an example, be sure your family knows that you will be in the basement in the case of a tornado. Plan a specific location outside your house in the case of a fire.
This way, emergency workers, and your family will know where you will be if something were to go wrong.
5. Pay extra attention to visual clues while driving
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 aware of flashing lights on the road since you might not hear sirens. Be extra diligent when pedestrians are around.
6. Let family and friends know about your hearing trouble
No one wants to disclose that they have hearing loss, but those in your life need to know. You may need to get to safety and those around you will be able to make you aware of something you might 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 sounds that your hearing loss stops you from detecting. These can indicate a serious issue. Your car could take significant damage and your safety might be at risk if these sounds aren’t addressed. When you bring your vehicle in for routine maintenance, ask your mechanic to give your car an overall once-over.
8. Have your hearing impairment treated
This is the most imperative thing you can do to stay safe. Get your hearing assessed annually to determine when your hearing loss is significant enough to require an assistive device. Don’t allow pride, money, or time constraints deter you. Hearing aids today are very functional, affordable, and discreet. A hearing aid can help you stay safer in all aspects of your life.