Safety Tips for Driving with Hearing Aids

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who live with hearing loss, you may have questions about how to best manage your condition while behind the wheel. Here are a few tips to help you stay safe and comfortable while driving with hearing aids.

Always drive with your hearing aids on 

Driving with your hearing aids on is essential for a number of reasons. First, it allows you to hear the traffic around you and other potential hazards while on the road. It also allows other drivers to communicate with you, which can be vital in an emergency situation. Additionally, driving with your hearing aids on can help you stay alert and focused behind the wheel. Most importantly, it can provide a sense of security and peace of mind knowing that you are not missing out on any important sounds while driving. So whether you are going on a long road trip or merely running errands around town, always remember to drive with your hearing aids on.

Minimize background noise

Many people wear hearing aids to discern important sounds and signals from background noise, but this can be even more difficult while driving. Oftentimes the unavoidably loud engine noise and the incessant hum of tires on the road can make it difficult to hear other sounds, including emergency vehicles and horns. However, there are a few things that you can do to minimize this problem.

• Reduce the volume of all audio sources within your vehicle, such as music or podcasts
• When driving with other passengers, ask that they speak quietly and alert them to your condition
• Lessen your exposure to environmental noises by keeping all of your windows up

Paying attention to driving and traffic safety is paramount, and eliminating background noise is one of the best ways to keep you focused.

Eliminate distractions

People often assume they can handle sending a quick message or answering the phone while driving, but these actions can be extremely dangerous. When you’re driving, your full attention should be on the road. Distractions like eating, drinking, or texting will shift your focus from where it needs to be and increases your risk of being in an accident. If you need to perform a task that might draw your focus away from driving, make sure you always pull over so that you can give it your undivided attention. It is not worth putting yourself and others in danger by attempting to multitask while behind the wheel. Paying attention while driving is crucial to keeping everyone safe, so do your best to eliminate all distractions.

Keep your hearing aids well maintained

As anyone with hearing aids knows, these devices are a crucial part of daily life. However, hearing aids require regular maintenance in order to stay in good working condition. One of the most important things you can do is to clean your hearing aids regularly. This means removing any earwax, debris, or moisture that has accumulated on the device. Other types of natural buildup you should expect to clean off are skin oils, hair, sweat, and dust. It is also important to store the hearing aids properly when not in use. A dehumidifier can be a helpful appliance for keeping your hearing aids dry and free from humidity. By following these simple steps, you can help ensure that your hearing aids continue to provide you with years of reliable service.

Improve your visual acuity

Everyone should have their eyes and vision checked regularly – but it is especially important for those with hearing loss. That is because vision is the primary source of perception when hearing is poor, as it becomes a person’s only reliable channel of receiving information and making sense of the world around them. There are a number of things you can do to enhance your visual capacity, which will improve your awareness and safety overall while driving. First, use a larger rearview mirror. This will expand your field of view and decrease blind spots. Second, keep your windows and windshield clean so you can see as clearly as possible. Finally, get your eyes examined annually to ensure you are not driving with compromised vision. By taking these measures, you’ll be able to maximize your vision and stay safe on the road.

 

Annual hearing assessments are important for maintaining good hearing health. If you are ready to address your auditory concerns, contact us today! We provide comprehensive hearing health services, and we look forward to serving you.