Home Safety Tips For People With Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is a condition that can be managed. With a reliable hearing instrument specialist (HIS) at your side, patients can and do live fully-integrated and happy lives despite any level of hearing loss they may be experiencing. No longer is hearing loss prohibitive to a life well lived, nor do constant concerns of accessibility need to follow you wherever you go.

However, it’s also important to note that hearing loss is a condition we do need to manage and that extra provisions are needed in order to help us unlock our best quality of life. Not only do appropriate treatment and the use of devices, such as hearing aids, allow us amplification of the sounds around us, but they also aid our ability to remain safe and perceptive of our environment.

Just as you might think of your personal safety in regards to a mobility condition, hearing loss safety provisions are worth keeping in mind, so you can conform your living situation to your needs rather than vice-versa.

So – let’s consider some home safety tips for those living with hearing loss.

Invest in Your Security System

When you have hearing loss (and if you’re not currently using your hearing aid), it may be more difficult to distinguish outside activity. Knocks on the doors or windows, or perhaps intrusive attempts can all be harder to make out when your hearing is affected.

A great security system can deter trespassers but also alert you should they be near. Of course, some may recommend bringing a big dog into the home, but any with a large bark regardless of size can be a good alert system.

However, doorbell cameras, a home panel alarm system, motion-sensitive floodlights and an appropriate community connection, such as joining your local neighborhood watch, can combine to create the protection you deserve. At the very least, anyone who attends your property uninvited will be noticed within moments. Alternatively, your front door camera may identify who has been stealing your parcels.

Install the Right Alarm Safety Systems

With pronounced hearing loss, even the intensive shriek of a well-installed fire-alarm unit may not be as distracting as it needs to be in order to encourage your exit. But of course, accepting this is not a tolerable alternative – you of course deserve to have these safety provisions in place.

Smoke detectors that utilize on-device flashing lights, vibrators (such as a cushion or pillow vibrators), digital displays noting a fire or smoke, and strobe lights can offer a worthwhile and alternative arrangement. These can be installed in a hard-wired capacity or may be remotely connective such as with Wi-Fi. When handled by a professional, you can be absolutely certain that in the event of a fire or carbon monoxide leak, you can evacuate the property and alert the appropriate authorities as needed.

Social-Side Security is Essential

One of the most important elements of home security is of having people you can trust near you. Does this mean those with hearing loss should never live alone? Of course not. But it does mean that becoming familiar with your neighbors, and educating them as to your specific needs is important.

This way, if they notice anything odd, they can check up on you as appropriate. Or, if you need some assistance such as by using their driveway as an alternative parcel-storage option should a delivery person remain unable to find you is key.

The truth is that neighbors could potentially save your life by checking up on you, and you may even provide the same for them. Having that social support network in place, even if it’s tangential, can be a great benefit. On top of that, feeling connected as part of your local community can aid with your own mental health, because feeling isolated is never positive.

Visit a Hearing Instrument Specialist

A hearing instrument specialist will be able to help you determine what your hearing loss needs are, and they may even be able to offer worthwhile advice as to managing your day-to-day with this condition. For example, they’ll be able to talk you through appropriate hearing aid maintenance and care, and how to adapt to life by using this device.

At Hearing At Home Mobile Hearing Center, all of this good-faith advice and prioritized servicing will be given as a matter of course. We’ll also be able to help field any question you may have in regards to living with a hearing loss condition so that safety and quality of life are assured.

Use our web form to contact our friendly team, or feel free to call us at (540) 534-0070 for an immediate response! We look forward to speaking with you.