If you or someone you know is hard of hearing, then you’re probably aware of some of the struggles that person experiences when it comes to everyday living around the house. According to a study by Gallaudet University, around 140 out of every 1,000 people have some sort of hearing problem. And a good share of those people are over 65. However, hearing loss can happen at just about any age. It’s important to know what you should do if you or someone you know is struggling with it. Safety is one of the biggest concerns when it comes to those with hearing loss. It’s important to know what you should do in order to make life easier. Discover some of the top tips to improve the safety of an individual with hearing loss.
Keep Saved Numbers in Your Phone
Keeping important numbers saved in your phone is one of the best ways to ensure that you stay safe at all times, and the right people are informed about any issues.
Remember Everyone, Including Health Professionals
You probably save the information of certain people in your family who you can turn to in the event of an emergency. However, it’s also important to keep the numbers of your doctors and health providers if you develop any health issues that need medical attention. Always keep 9-1-1 in mind for emergencies if you need an ambulance or fire truck. Having phone numbers handy saves you precious time in the event of a problem because you won’t have to look up the numbers yourself.
Increase Sound on Phones and Smoke Detectors
Most smoke detectors emit sounds at a very high frequency and, unfortunately, the high frequency is often times the type of frequency that is not easily picked up by those that are hard of hearing.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Luckily, there are some products created especially for those that are hard of hearing. One of those emits a very low-frequency alarm heard by those with some hearing loss. In addition, there are systems created to warn individuals of all types of emergencies, such as an intruder, a neighbor at your door or something as simple as your phone ringing. That means despite hearing difficulties, you are completely aware of your surroundings
Wear A Life Jacket When Boating
This is probably a practice that should be observed no matter your hearing abilities, but it’s especially important when you’re hard of hearing for a variety of reasons.
Signals, Warnings, and Being Prepared
When you’re on a boat, you usually know what to expect because you can hear the people around you warning you of something coming up. If you’re hard of hearing, you may not be able to hear all these warnings. It’s best to have some sort of signal with other people so they can easily alert you to any potential danger. If the worst-case scenario comes true, you’ll be prepared and ready.
Correct Any Hearing Issues
Aside from using a hearing aid, the best bet to help with your hearing issues is to seek medical advice on how to correct it.
Consult with Medical Professionals
While there are some medical issues that cannot be fixed, there are plenty of things your doctor can recommend. Seeking advice could help solve your problem and eliminate the need for you to follow these safety tips.
Use A Hearing Aid
When it comes to helping improve your hearing, you have a couple of different options. You may want to consider the more affordable option of purchasing an OTC hearing aid device. It’s important that you know the difference between OTC hearing aids and traditional prescription hearing aids before you commit to buying one system or the other. In short, both devices input sound and deliver it to your ear. They look similar and both have advanced technology.
Discover the Benefits
The main difference between the two boils down to how you obtain each one. When it comes to a traditional prescription hearing aid, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates this technology as a medical device. These hearing aids require formal testing and a prescription in order for you to get one. However, an OTC hearing aid does not need a prescription. Technically, an OTC hearing aid is intended for those who could benefit from improved hearing, but who aren’t actually dealing with hearing loss.
While dealing with a hearing loss issue is never an ideal situation for anyone, it’s comforting to know that there are solutions that exist to provide a safer experience for anyone that may be dealing with a hearing problem. By following a few simple safety tips, you immediately increase safety factors for those with hard of hearing.
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