Safety in the Face of Hearing Loss
People with hearing loss are often unaware of the dangers in their surrounding environment, simply because they are unable to hear it. Be it the sound of a car stopping in your driveway in the dead of the night, or the sound of breaking glass as a burglar breaks your window pane, untreated hearing loss puts you and your loved ones at risk of terrible danger.
Those with hearing loss are often unaware that they have a hearing problem. It may take several startled looks from your family members when they realize you were unable to hear the smoke alarm to get you thinking about having your hearing tested.
Hearing loss is a gradual process, which is why it often takes about a decade for someone to actually consider getting their hearing tested. By that time, it might be too late and your family may suffer dire consequences due to your hearing loss. It is important to safe guard your family using other methods that do not rely on your hearing, until you obtain treatment for your hearing loss.
If you or someone you love has hearing loss, make sure that they have installed alarm systems that are equipped with visual warning signs as well as the regular auditory ones. This can include using flashing red lights in smoke alarms and house alarms. People are often far too trusting and do not turn on their house alarms at night. Times have changed and it would be wise to activate your house alarm before you go to bed or when you go outside.
Those with hearing loss can also depend on other family members to help keep them alert when odd noises occur around the house. Your spouse or children may help you out by asking you to investigate when they hear a strange sound at odd hours. Even if you cannot hear well, you can still use your eyesight to carefully scrutinize your surroundings before you head for bed each night.
Hearing impaired individuals can also benefit from adopting a pet such as a service dog. These animals can serve as your ears and help alert you about your surroundings in the face of imminent danger.
Do not forget to have some sort of contingency plan which you can rely on in times of crises. Make sure everyone in your family is on the same page regarding what the plan is, and make sure all the necessary equipment involved in the plan is in good working order. You can keep emergency equipment such as a fire extinguisher, a flashlight with batteries, a spare set of house keys and car keys, as well as other important objects close at hand so that they are easily accessible in times of need.
People with hearing loss who live alone can benefit from creating a social support system within their neighborhood. You can get in touch with your neighbors and request them to keep an eye on your house for you and alert you when they see something suspicious. This is advisable even for those who do not have a hearing problem. It is up to all of us to keep our neighbors safe so that our children have a safe environment to live in.