Hearing loss is an incredibly common condition, with approximately 15% of Americans aged 18 or older reporting some trouble hearing. If you or someone you love has hearing loss, you may need to take extra precautions to keep your home safe.
Hearing Loss and Security Systems
It may be harder to hear an attempted break-in through a door or window of your home if you have hearing loss. While traditional security systems use an audible alarm to alert homeowners to danger, the sound may be difficult to pick up if you’re hard of hearing.
In this case, you may want to consider installing a security system that flashes a strobe light or offers a vibrating alert to multiple areas of your home.
Check with Absolute Protection Team or your existing security system installer to see if they can upgrade your system to include an alarm that matches your needs.
Smoke Detectors for People Hard of Hearing
Another risk for people with hearing loss is that they won’t hear alarms coming from smoke, fire or carbon monoxide detectors.
Similar to traditional security systems, the alarm sound may be too quiet or high-pitched for you to hear. Thankfully, many modern options are designed with people who have hearing loss in mind.
You can find smoke and fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors for your home that utilize features like extra loud alarms or flashing strobe lights to alert you to any dangers. Some will even include a digital display that says “FIRE” in bright orange letters to help you notice them.
You can also find bed-vibrating alarms. These have a component that goes under your pillow or mattress and lets you know something is wrong by shaking you awake.
If you’d rather not replace your existing alarms, you also have the option of purchasing a separate alerting device. These have the ability to detect the pitch of your existing alarm and respond with a louder, lower-pitched sound that people with hearing loss can notice more easily.
Use Hearing Aids to Increase Safety
Hearing aids should be worn during all your waking hours, apart from any instance where they could get wet (such as showering). By wearing your device during the day, you are more likely to hear any alarms or pick up on concerning sounds or warnings than you would be without them.
If you have hearing loss but have yet to seek treatment, call Aaron's Hearing Aid & Audiology Center today and make an appointment to get your hearing tested.