There are countless ways hearing keeps us safe and helps alert us to possible dangers. The honk of a car horn, the beeping of a smoke alarm or an oven timer going off — these are all important sounds, and the ability to hear them should not be taken for granted. For the hard of hearing, especially those with severe hearing loss, not being able to hear every day noises as well as more serious sounds of warning may hinder their safety, as well as that of their loved ones. Fortunately, hearing loss is treatable, and there are many ways to stay safe with this condition. There is no reason to let hearing damage interfere with your feeling of security or quality of life.
Hearing Loss and Smoke Alarms
One of the most important household sounds you can hear — a smoke detector. Over 48 million Americans are unable to hear traditional high-frequency smoke alarms, but just as there are other ways to be woken up besides a high-pitched noise, there are smoke alarms designed specifically for the hard of hearing. Let’s take a look at a few options.
As hearing aids are not worn at night, people with hearing loss need an effective, alternate way of being alerted to a fire in the house. These alternate alarms typically vibrate, flash strobe lights, or emit a lower-frequency sound. But which ones are the most effective?
Although to some extent it depends on the individual, a study published in the February, 2009 edition of the journal Ear and Hearing, revealed that overall the low-frequency smoke alarms were more effective at waking people with serious hearing loss than the others.
It was found that strobe lights were surprisingly ineffective in waking hard of hearing sleepers.
Vibrating alarms that shake the bed and pillow proved effective for those with severe or total hearing loss, but in participants with mild-to-moderate hearing loss the most successful waking method was a fire alarm with a low-frequency (520-Hz square wave auditory signal) alarm sound.
A smoke alarm may be the most important sound you ever hear, so if you or someone in your household has a hearing loss, make sure your home is equipped with suitable smoke alarms right away.
Hearing Loss and Other Dangers
As we know, not all dangers come with alarms, and not all dangers are loud. Some faint sounds of warning, such as water boiling over on the stove, can be easily missed – but are nonetheless vital. Our hearing protects us, at home, at work, and in public places, by alerting us with a variety of sounds, but how can we make sure to hear them?
The most important way to not miss important noises is to wear your hearing aids every day, and get regular hearing checkups to ensure that your devices are still meeting your hearing needs.
Although it is basic, the telephone is an essential safety tool, and is indispensable in an emergency. Fortunately, most contemporary mobile and landline phones are compatible with telecoils, which means they can be used by individuals wearing hearing aids or cochlear implants. With made for iPhone hearing aids, you can stream calls directly from your phone to your hearing devices, and never risk missing an emergency call. Other models can be voice-activated, so if you fell or had an accident away from your phone, you could still voice-dial 911. Yet another option is a vibrating bracelet that alerts you or wakes you up if you receive a call.
The Importance of Hearing Exams
What if you don’t wear hearing aids? If you are living with untreated hearing loss, you may be putting yourself at risk in a number of ways, as well as hindering your ability to help others who are in danger. Remember that your ability to hear not only protects your own safety, but also the safety of those around you, such as your family and friends.
Don’t risk missing a vital warning sound at home, at work or around town. A hearing evaluation is the first step towards treating your hearing loss, and the first step towards the relief and security that will come with being able to hear the world around you. Contact us at Desert Valley Audiology today to schedule an exam.