Driving is already a difficult task as it is. You have to keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road while trying to avoid every distraction that will come your way. As someone who’s dealing with hearing loss, you might think that driving is an impossible challenge. Well, it’s not. How, you might ask? We’ve listed down a few tips on driving safely with hearing loss.
Disclaimer: The following list is not meant to be a conclusive advice. These safety tips are just valuable insights, based on our years of experience in the healthcare industry, to help you drive soundly even with hearing loss. For a more expert advice on this, we recommend going to the appropriate professionals.
Did you know: Listening Lab offers quality hearing aid products.
Tip #1: Avoid distractions.
Driving is a task that requires being able to multitask. Eyes on the road, hands on the wheel, feet on the pedals, ears to your surroundings. These should be your main focus. Avoid talking on the phone or chatting with a passenger as to not divide your ears’ attention.
Tip #2: Keep music to a minimum.
Not only is loud music very dangerous to our hearing—considering that the car is enclosed and the sound waves have no way of coming out—but it can also be an additional distraction to you. You won’t be able to hear the external sounds from the environment properly in the presence of a loud music. It will block out sounds such as the siren of an ambulance, honks from cars, or even a police whistle.
Tip #3: Keep an eye out for visual cues.
Having a sharp vision is very important in driving. As someone with hearing loss or with minimal hearing, it is even more important for you to pay attention to the things around you. Traffic lights and enforcers are a big help, so take time to study and follow road rules. Also, don’t forget to look at your mirrors every now and then.
Tip #4: Ask passengers to lower the volume of their conversations.
All the chatting and laughing inside the car can hamper you from staying focused while driving. Although conversations are unavoidable, you can ask your passengers to tone down their voices to help you drive safely.
Tip #5: Keep the car window closed.
Cars today are designed to reduce road noise. Consider this as a good news. If there is any way for you to eliminate noise that can be distracting, do them. Being surrounded by sounds that may compete in catching your attention can be very difficult for you.
Tip #6: Get a hearing aid.
Hearing loss badly affects one’s way of living. Our body cannot function its best when one of our senses and parts are not working to their utmost potential. Don’t be afraid to ask help from the professionals. The Listening Lab, with our finest facilities and equipment, can help you get a hold of the hearing aid you need. Contact us at +65 6817 5100.
A common misconception is that if you can’t hear, you can’t drive. But us here at Listening Lab believes otherwise. With the right knowledge, help, and guidance from professionals, you definitely still can!
About The Listening Lab
Listening Lab is a home-grown company whose mission is to help our clients restore their hearing to enjoy the life that they desire. Experiencing hearing loss can be detrimental to one’s quality of life. Hence we commit to providing high-quality hearing solutions.
Our hearing solutions include hearing tests and treatment and prescribing hearing aids. Clients may come to get their hearing checked, and we will assess whether hearing aids are required.
If hearing aids are required, clients can choose from a variety of the best hearing aid brands we provide. Each of the products offers unique features that complement daily use and perform well in helping our clients enjoy the life that they desire.
