Getting your driver’s license as a teenager is one of the best feelings in the world. When you’re diagnosed with hearing loss, it can feel like all of the joys of driving will be taken away from you. Fortunately, that isn’t the case at all.
Driving with hearing loss, while a little different than driving without it, can be safe and fun with a few simple adjustments.
Wear Your Hearing Aids
You should always wear your hearing aids when driving. These tiny devices capture all the noise in your environment and deliver it directly to your ears. That noise could include honking horns, passing cyclists, the rumble of a motorcycle, shouting pedestrians or safety sirens. Before you get in the car, check that your hearing aids are fully charged and clean to ensure that they deliver the clearest sound possible.
Check Your Mirrors
“Remember to check your mirrors” was probably one of the first bits of safety information your parent or instructor gave you when you were learning to drive. When you have hearing loss, that little tip is more important than ever. Even with hearing aids, many safety sounds will be more muffled than they used to be. Checking your mirrors frequently will keep you constantly aware of your surroundings and potential hazards. The recommended amount varies, but aim to check your mirrors at least once every three to 10 seconds.
Lower Your Music
Music or podcasts help pass the time during long road trips, but they can be especially distracting with hearing loss. Lower the music to a volume that you can comfortably listen to without getting distracted.
Keep Your Eyes on the Road
You may have noticed that phone use while driving seems to be worse than ever. In fact, the Pew Research Center found that one in three American teens admitted to texting while driving.[1] If you include adults also on their cell phones, that’s a lot of distracted drivers.
Lock your phone in your glovebox or turn it on “do not disturb” while driving. You should also limit interactions with any media screens in your car. Remember that when your ears are muffled, your eyes need to work a little harder to keep you safe on the road.
Schedule a Hearing Appointment
If it’s been a while since your latest hearing aid appointment, contact Sound Advice Audiology to schedule one. We’ll clean your devices and check their programming to help you stay safe on the road.
[1] Pew Research Center. (2009, November 16). Teens and distracted driving. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2009/11/16/teens-and-distracted-driving-2/