Hearing Loss

Lesson 4: Skills For Surviving Hearing Loss

How to Feel Safer

Next to a dog, the best thing you can put in your home to help you feel more secure is a security system. Having an alarm put into the house was like getting a backup system for the dog. It makes me feel safer, especially since I know it’s always being monitored. I can work upstairs on my computer without worrying that someone is coming in the basement window.

I try to position things so I can see out into the house instead of having my back to it. I choose to place my couch against the wall that will let me see out of the room to the hall. I also place my desk and chair so I can look out without too much movement. I do the same with my bed, my seat at the kitchen table, my treadmill, and my chair outside on the deck. I even tend to do it in restaurants and public places. To steal an old Brooklyn expression, always keep your back to the wall.

When you’re out in public, you have to constantly look around you. I’ve been startled so many times by people coming up behind me on a sidewalk that I’ve considered attaching dental mirrors to my sunglasses! When I’m just taking a walk, I take my dog with me – it’s good exercise for both of us and he always lets me know if anyone is approaching. But there are places dogs can’t go so you have to get in the habit of being aware of your surroundings. Most importantly, always be prepared for the unexpected.

Something I’ve learned is to put my hearing aids in as soon as I wake up. You’ll understand why when I tell you what happened to me.

We were having a room in the house painted we left the window of the room open overnight. Our alarm was active. In the morning, I was preparing to go out and my hearing aids were not in. I remembered the open window and decided to shut it before I forgot about it. I didn't realize that the motion of closing it could set off the alarm. As you probably guessed, it did. I didn’t have my hearing aids in, so I had no idea the alarm had been triggered. I also had no idea everyone was trying to call me – the alarm company, my husband, my son, my parents. It was my mother who finally reached me and I shut the alarm. Luckily we were able to cancel the police in time.

Put your hearing aids in when you wake up!

When you travel, take along portable assistive devices. The HandyMic is great when you need to hear one person, such as a ticket vendor, hotel desk clerk, or taxi driver. You can just hold the HandyMic in front of them and their voices will come directly into your hearing aids while reducing background noise. A strap on amplifier will work with many phones these days. It just might work with your hotel room phone.

There are also a few personal alarms you can buy and take with you when you’re away. Some are made to go off if someone opens a door, others are made for you to activate if you feel threatened. They’re inexpensive and will go a long way towards making you feel safer.

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