Whether you have a fancy sports car with a convertible roof or an old clunker that’s held together by duct tape and hope, driving is a pretty fun way to get around Chelmsford. If you have hearing loss, you will need to take a few extra precautions when you’re behind the wheel. Let’s look at a few of those precautions below.
1. Check Your Mirrors
When hearing loss quiets some of the sounds you rely on to be a safe driver, your eyes need to do more of the work. Check your mirrors at least once every three to 10 seconds.
2. Ask Your Passengers To Limit Distracting Behavior
It’s easier to keep your eyes on the road when your passengers aren’t being distracting. Ask older passengers to avoid dancing, yelling or gesturing, and, if you drive with kids, remind them how important it is for you to be able to pay attention to the road.
3. Avoid Highway Hypnosis
Highway hypnosis is a driving phenomenon wherein you zone out for long periods without realizing it. Scanning your dashboard regularly will help keep your mind engaged.
4. Turn Down the Radio
Hearing loss makes it difficult to separate a specific sound when there’s another noise source, like music, in your environment.[1] Turning down your radio will help keep your ears tuned into safety noises like sirens and passing cars.
5. Wear Hearing Aids
Hearing aids pick up noise in your environment, amplify it and send it directly to your ears; they’re an essential tool for safe driving. Before you hit the road, make sure your devices are fully charged and clean. Next time you take a long or multi-day road trip, remember to bring extra batteries or a charging case.
If it’s been a while since your last service appointment, contact Massachusetts Hearing Group to schedule one today. We’ll take care of your devices to ensure they’re ready to keep you safe in and out of the car.
[1] Reiss, L.A.J., Molis, M.R. Correction to: An Alternative Explanation for Difficulties with Speech in Background Talkers: Abnormal Fusion of Vowels Across Fundamental Frequency and Ears. JARO 22, 463 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10162-021-00802-6