Home Safety Tips For People With Hearing Loss

Being hard of hearing can be a big change for you and your family. It can even be dangerous sometimes. What if you can’t hear the fire alarm or your name being called? Car noises can warn you of dangers ahead, but you won’t hear them if your hearing loss has progressed to a more advanced stage. We have some tips to help you and your family stay safe if you wear hearing aids, even when you’re not likely to be wearing them.

Get Alarms Designed for People with Hearing Loss

When you think of an alarm, you probably think of that loud sound that comes from the clock on your nightstand. However, alarms today are much more sophisticated than that. You can now buy models that make noise and also have lights that flash like the strobes you see in commercial buildings. Whether you’re looking for a smoke detector or a carbon monoxide alarm, make sure you get one that works for people who are hard of hearing.

If someone knocked on the door, would you hear it? Would you be surprised if a close friend just walked in when you didn’t lock your door? If you can’t hear, you might be surprised by guests or even miss them. But you can put up motion detectors with flashing lights to let you know when someone is at a door or window.

You can also get an app for your smartphone that will vibrate your phone when someone is at the door.

Don’t Distract Yourself When Driving

Since your hearing isn’t as good as it used to be, it’s important to avoid other distractions while driving. If you need to change your route, pull over instead of using your phone or GPS. If you think there might be a problem with your hearing aid, you should see a specialist before driving.

Don’t feel bad if you have to turn off the radio or ask the other people in the car to stop talking when things are getting dangerous. First, safety!

Consider A Service Dog

You think that service animals help people who are blind, have seizures or have other health problems. But they can also help a lot of people who have trouble hearing. A service dog can be taught to warn you when something is wrong, when someone comes to your door or when an alert is occurring that you cannot hear.

Set Up a Plan

Know what you’ll do if something goes wrong before it does. Talk to other people about it. Make sure your family knows where to find you if you plan to move into the basement during a tornado. Plan a place outside the house where you will meet in case of a fire. So, if something goes wrong and you get stuck, your family and emergency workers can help you quickly.

Pay Attention to What You See When Driving

Most likely, your hearing loss has gotten worse with time. If you don’t get your hearing aids adjusted regularly, you might find yourself using your eyes more. If you can’t hear sirens, keep an eye out for flashing lights on the road. When there are kids or people walking around, you should be extra careful.

Talk To Your Family and Friends

No one wants to admit they have hearing loss, but all those close to you need to know. They can tell you about things you might not hear, so you can get to safety. If they don’t know you can’t hear, they’ll just assume you can.

Keep Your Car in Good Shape

If you have hearing loss, you might not hear strange thumps, clicks, or screeches when you’re driving. This can mean that something is very wrong. If you don’t fix them, they can hurt your car or put you in danger. When you take your car in for an oil change or inspection, it’s a good idea to ask a trusted mechanic what he thinks about how it’s running.

Get Your Hearing Checked Regularly

This is the most important safety measure you can take. Get your hearing checked once a year to find out if your hearing loss is bad enough to need a hearing aid. Don’t put it off because you’re short on time, money or pride. A hearing aid can help you stay safe at home, at work, in the park, while shopping, while driving and in many other places.

Hearing aids today are very useful, affordable and discreet. If you would like to learn more get in touch with Baker Audiology & Hearing Aids at (605) 610-3466