Driving is a big part of life, whether you’re taking long road trips out of Redding or just running errands. When you have hearing loss, it’s common to worry about how it will affect your driving safety. Your hearing alerts you to honking horns, passing vehicles, sirens and more. Although driving with hearing loss may require some adjustments, you can still hit the road safely and confidently with a few minor adjustments.
Minimize Distractions
Distracted driving is one of the biggest car accident causes. A few ways you can minimize distractions include:
- Lower the radio volume. Hearing loss can make it difficult to hear specific sounds amidst background noise. Lowering the radio volume helps you better concentrate on vital safety information.
- Turn off cellphone notifications. Using your phone while driving, even to send a short text or change the music, adds an unnecessary distraction that can increase the risk of accidents. Put your notifications on silent and place your phone in your purse or glove compartment to minimize the distraction.
Keep an Eye Out for Visual Cues
Visual cues can help compensate for hearing loss and keep you safe while driving. Keep an eye out for siren lights, swerving cars, pedestrians and turn signals to maximize your driving safety.
Take Advantage of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids can significantly affect your ability to hear crucial auditory cues on the road. These technologically advanced devices amplify important sounds like emergency sirens, honking horns and approaching vehicles to help you look out for potential hazards. Additionally, hearing aids with advanced features like directional microphones and noise reduction can help filter out background noise, allowing you to focus better on essential safety information. This amplified hearing awareness contributes to a safer and more confident driving experience.
Around 22% of adults aged 65-74 and 55% of those over 75 live with disabling hearing loss. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with hearing loss, contact Audiology Associates of Redding today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists to see how hearing aids can improve your driving safety.