Driving with Single Sided Deafness

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Six

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Hi guys!

I am so happy to have found this forum. I have been deaf on my right for as long as I remember. I have always had anxiety about driving and sometimes just thinking about it makes my heart race. But the day has come where I cannot escape it. I have to learn! Now, I need tips for people who has the same condition as I do. Like I said, I am deaf in my right ear and I could not explain it but it feels like I do not feel "connected" to my right side (does that even make sense?). I remember long time ago I tried to backup a car and when I had to look back by rotating my head to the right side, it felt unnatural to me. I am just not as aware what goes on in my right side than I am on my left. Obviously, you have to be aware of all your surroundings when driving.

I am not sure if I made sense at all but I would appreciate any tips you guys may have for me.

Thanks so much.
 
If backing up and where you look is an issue, then rely on your mirrors or get a Right Hand Drive car, so reversing is a left look, rather than right.

I have a problem when I'm riding my motorcycle since I can't have my hearing aids on inside my helmet, I almost got rear ended at a traffic light by an ambulance because I couldn't hear it and I didn't see it in my mirrors.

Same thing happens on occasion in my car, where I'm at a light, ambulance come flying through and I don't hear it until it's right on me or sometimes not at all.
 
I have bad hearing on BOTH ears and yet I've been accident free for over 18 years. Oh, and I ride a motorcycle too.

You just have to use your eyes more and be more alert. You'll get used to it after a while.
 
A Nihilist said:
I have bad hearing on BOTH ears and yet I've been accident free for over 18 years. Oh, and I ride a motorcycle too.

You just have to use your eyes more and be more alert. You'll get used to it after a while.
Click to expand...

I've been accident free as well, it's just emergency vehicles aren't always visible until the last second, not to mention, I can't fit my glasses (Which have a way out of date prescription) in my helmet. Even in my car, I don't always see them, depending on the road, conditions or just other cars blocking my view.

I'm plenty alert, I just don't see them until they're right up on me is all. That's the only driving/ riding issue I have is when I'm stopped at a light and emergency vehicles come up from behind. Other than that, I'm good to go.
 
I am no longer able to wear a HA in my right ear and been driving this way for about 6 years now . I have not notice any difference with driving . It does make it harder to talk on the phone as I am right handed.
 
You don't need to hear to drive. You're deaf not blind, you're not even all deaf, AND your right ear is the one facing the cars interior, your hearing hear is facing the exterior. Where sound outside your car is coming from.

Don't worry about it.
 
I'm completely Deaf and had my license well before I was implanted with my C.I. Never had an accident and passed my test with 100% with absolutely no hearing at all. No hearing aid, no C.I. nothing. You can hear out of one ear, I'm pretty sure you can manage....
 
Thanks so much! I am now determined to do it. :) Thank you, thank you, thank you!
 
I was born Deaf, and I had license since now. The best thing is to keep your eyes on roads and everywhere without relying on hearing.. Hearing is a form of blind for driving. MY OPINION.

My mom is hearing, and she turned the music on really loud. She did not even knew that ambulance truck and the lights were on, and the warning sounds were on yet mom drove slow and singing along with the music on. :shock: hearing IS a FORM of BLIND.

So relying on your eyes as an excellent observant so you will be fine.
 
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