If you have hearing loss, driving can pose a few potential challenges that can potentially impact your safety and the safety of others. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to improve your hearing when on the road.
Get a Hearing Test
If you are having trouble hearing while in the car or in other environments, schedule an appointment for a hearing test. These tests are quick and effective and can offer immediate insight into the cause and severity of your hearing loss. The sooner you get diagnosed and treated for hearing loss, the better it will be for your health and the easier it will be to hear important noises while driving.
Wear Your Hearing Aids When Driving
If you have hearing loss, your audiologist will likely recommend hearing aids. They work to amplify sounds as well as suppress bothersome background noise, which can help you hear important noises, like sirens, when driving.
Additionally, newer models have features that can improve speech recognition from the side and back, making it easier to hear other passengers in the car.
Lastly, many hearing aids can connect directly to your smartphone or other devices, meaning that you could stream directions directly into your hearing aids when heading somewhere new.
Eliminate Distractions
Even with hearing aids, driving can be a noisy endeavor. Minimizing or eliminating any distracting noises can go a long way to making it easier to hear. This may include:
- Keeping the windows rolled up to minimize wind noise or sounds from the road
- Turning the radio off or listening at a low volume
- Asking any passengers riding with you to use headphones if watching a movie or playing a game on their phone or tablet
Get Regular Maintenance for Your Vehicle
Hearing loss can make it more difficult to pick up on certain clicks, bumps and rumbling noises that may indicate that you have a problem with your car. If these sounds are missed or ignored, it could lead to more serious issues with your car and perhaps even put you at risk of an accident.
Make sure to get regular tune-ups at Tidwell Auto Service or another local mechanic to make sure your vehicle is safe and running well.
Bottom Line
Taking a proactive approach to your hearing health can help keep you safe on the road. If you are concerned about your hearing or wish to schedule an appointment with one of our experts, contact Sharp Hearing – The Audiology Center today.
