Hearing Loss and Driving

For many people, driving their own cars is both enjoyable and a necessary part of their regular routines. Many older adults are concerned about their ability to continue driving if they begin to develop hearing loss. Fortunately, statistics show that hearing impaired individuals drive as well as people with normal hearing. However, there are certain safety precautions that drivers with hearing loss should take.

If you are suffering from a hearing impairment, HearingPlanet can help you find a hearing aid that works for your condition and lifestyle. Call our hearing aid specialists at 1-800-432-7669.

Planning Ahead

Regardless of your age or the cause of your hearing loss, operating a motor vehicle safely will take some forethought. Here are a few steps you can follow to lower your chances of a car accident.

• Contact your local police department or Department of Motor Vehicles to ask about cards for the hearing impaired. Several jurisdictions have begun offering small cards - similar to business cards - that you can give a police officer if you are pulled over. Your card will alert the officer to your hearing condition and explain any accommodations you may need.
• Get your hearing and vision checked regularly. Both of these abilities can decrease with age, often so slowly that people do not even notice at first. A qualified audiologist can help you determine whether or not a hearing aid would make you a safer driver.
• Stay alert. Of course, everyone should do this while driving, but drivers who have a hard time hearing sirens or warning alarms need to be especially vigilant. Keep a close eye out for other cards, ambulances, pedestrians, and other obstacles. Whenever you get in your car, be sure to check the dashboard for any warning lights, especially if you cannot hear the warning "beeps."

A hearing aid may do more than help you hear certain frequencies. It could also improve your directional hearing or your ability to determine where a sound is coming from, which is an important ability for all drivers.

Contact Us

If you or a loved one is suffering from a hearing impairment, HearingPlanet can provide efficient assistance as you look for solutions. Contact our hearing aid consultants at 1-800-432-7669.