5 Critical Safety Tips for Drivers

In the Car and Hard of Hearing: 5 Critical Safety Tips for Drivers

Whether you’re visiting friends, running errands, or heading out on the open road, driving offers independence. If hearing traffic sounds, sirens or GPS directions has become harder, driving may start to feel more stressful. The good news is that a few simple strategies can help you stay alert, confident and safe behind the wheel.

According to Austroads, Australia’s national transport authority, hearing loss doesn’t automatically affect your ability to drive, but it does mean you need to be mindful and make smart adjustments.¹ Here are five practical tips to help you stay confident and in control every time you get behind the wheel.

Make The Most Of Visual Cues

When hearing loss makes it harder to hear engine sounds, horns, sirens, and warning buzzers, vision becomes even more important. Drivers who are hard of hearing find it helpful to rely on visual information and be more cautious behind the wheel.² 

To make the most of visual cues when driving, consider:

• Checking your mirrors more often to maintain a full 360-degree awareness of traffic.
• Adjusting your seat and mirror positions to minimise blind spots.
• Paying close attention to dashboard alerts and indicator lights, which can signal issues you may not hear such as low tyre pressure, open doors, or engine warnings.

Make Sure Your Hearing Devices Are Ready

Your hearing aids and assistive listening devices play an important role in helping you stay aware of what’s happening around you on the road. Keeping them ready and working well can make driving feel smoother, safer and more comfortable. 

Before you start the car, make sure your hearing devices are prepared by:

• Checking your batteries or charge level so your devices stay powered for the whole trip.
• Some hearing aids have program settings that help manage background noise. Using noise-management or outdoor modes can help reduce wind or road noise. 
• Ensuring your devices are paired correctly with your phone or car system. This means GPS directions or hands-free calls will be clear and easy to follow.
  

Control Your In-Car Environment

The cabin of your car can be a particularly noisy place. From traffic, wind, air-conditioning and even conversations with passengers, driving comes with a mix of sounds. For people with hearing loss, this extra noise can make it harder to pick up important cues on the road. Managing the sound inside your car can help you stay focused and engaged while driving.³ 

Try these simple adjustments to create a more comfortable driving environment:

• Keep the windows closed on busy roads or highways to reduce wind noise.
• Ask passengers to speak clearly and pause conversations during busy or high-attention moments on the road.
• Turn down the radio or music when you need to focus. 
• Set the air-conditioning or heater to a quiet level to minimise background noise.

Use Technology And Alerts Proactively

Modern vehicles offer plenty of visual and sensory features to support safe driving, from lane departure warnings to blind-spot indicators. Many of these alerts can reinforce the cues you may not hear. 

To make the most of your car’s technology:

• Familiarise yourself with any visual or vibration alerts your car provides. 
• Use additional camera systems or wide-angle mirrors for improved visibility. 
• Adjust your navigation system for clear, easy-to-read visual prompts, or stream directions directly to your hearing aids via Bluetooth if possible.

Prioritise Your Hearing Health

Hearing can be a key part of safe, confident driving, so keeping it well supported is essential.⁴ According to Austroads, drivers with hearing loss can continue driving safely if they’re aware of their limitations and have regular hearing checks. 

To stay road-ready and confident:

• Schedule a free hearing check at your local Connect Hearing clinic and mention that you drive regularly. 
• Talk to your hearing care professional about your driving habits and whether your hearing aids can be fine-tuned to support you in that environment. 
• If you notice changes to your hearing, such as missing noise alerts, increased fatigue, or finding it challenging to hear in noisy environments, make an appointment for a hearing check

References:

1. Austroads (n.d.), Assessing Fitness to Drive, www.austroads.gov.au, accessed 28 October 2025. NSW Government (n.d.), How medical conditions, illness and injuries affect your licence, www.nsw.gov.au, accessed 28 October 2025.

2. Transport NSW (n.d.), The Road Ahead, NSW Government, accessed 28 October 2025. 

3. Ear Hear (1 July 2017), A Taxonomy of Fatigue Concepts and Their Relation to Hearing Loss, National Library of Medicine, accessed 28 October 2025. 

4. Arrive Alive (n.d.), Hearing and Road Safety, Arrive Alive, accessed 28 October 2025.