Living with hearing loss can be quite an adjustment for you and your family members. In some cases, it can even be dangerous.
What happens if a smoke detector is going off or someone is yelling out your name but you can’t hear them? If you have neglected hearing loss, you won’t hear those car sounds that may 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 should do is get a hearing exam. Here are some recommendations to help keep people with hearing aids and their families safer whether or not they’re using their hearing aid.
1. Don’t go out by yourself
If possible, bring someone with you who isn’t struggling to hear. If that’s not possible, request that people face you when speaking to you so you will have an easier time hearing them.
2. Stay focused when you’re driving
It’s important 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 while driving, just pull over if you need to reroute. Before you drive, if you are worried that you may have a problem with your hearing, call us for an assessment.
Don’t feel embarrassed if you have to turn off the radio or ask passengers to stop talking during more decisive moments of your drive. Safety first!
3. Think about getting a service dog
You think of service animals as helpful for individuals with loss of vision, epilepsy, or other conditions. But they can also be extremely helpful to individuals with auditory challenges. You can be warned about danger by a service dog. They can let you know when someone is at your door.
They can assist you with your hearing problems and they are also wonderful companions.
4. Have a plan
Before an emergency takes place, make a plan. Talk it over it with other people. As an example, be sure your family is aware that you will be in the basement if a tornado hits. Plan a specific location outside your house in the case of a fire.
This way, if something were to go wrong and you became trapped, family and emergency workers can act quickly to help you.
5. When you’re driving, pay attention to visual clues
Over time, it’s likely that your hearing loss has gotten worse. If your hearing aids aren’t regularly fine-tuned, you might find yourself depending more on your eyes. You might not hear sirens so watch out for flashing lights. Be extra attentive when pedestrians are around.
6. Let friends and family know about your hearing trouble
Nobody wants to admit that they have hearing impairment, but people close to you need to be aware of it. You may need to get to safety and people around you will be able to make you aware of something you may have missed. If they’re not aware that you’re unable to hear, they will think that you hear it too.
7. Be diligent about the maintenance of your vehicle
Your car may start making peculiar sounds that your hearing loss stops you from detecting. These sounds could point to a mechanical problem with your vehicle. If ignored, they can do long-term damage to your vehicle or put you in danger. When you take your vehicle in for routine maintenance, ask your mechanic to give your car a general once-over.
8. Manage your hearing loss
This is the most critical thing you can do to remain safe. Have your hearing tested annually to identify when your hearing loss is extensive enough to require an assistive device. Don’t allow pride, money, or time constraints stop you. Modern hearing aids are discreet, functional, and surprisingly affordable. A hearing aid can help you remain safer in many settings at home, work, park, shopping, and driving.
