Driving schools and regulations are adapted, allowing hearing impaired people to drive with hearing aids as well.

 

 

Next weekend, Carlos and Ana will take the car and make a route along some of the most beautiful mountain roads in their province. They have had everything ready for days. They want to get out of the city and breathe fresh air. Take the car and get lost. Stop at any viewpoint and take a picture.

Since Carlos has a driver's license, there's nothing to stop him. Carlos, by the way, has been hearing impaired since he was a teenager. That's why, when he came of age, he didn't even consider joining the driving school. He was convinced that deaf people could not get a driver's license. Over time, he has discovered that he can and, moreover, he has achieved it himself. Driving with hearing aids is entirely possible, as his case and that of many others shows.

 

In order to get this far, DGT (general direction of traffic) has implemented appropriate measures to this end. For example, having a sign language interpreter in the classroom to facilitate the assimilation of content or developing accessible training material with special visual support. Hearing is important in driving practice, but a disability does not completely eliminate the possibility of getting behind the wheel.

 

 

Currently, a driving licence can be obtained under equal conditions and for Group 1, i.e. passenger cars and motorcycles, as long as the hearing loss is solved through hearing aids.

 

 

Driving with hearing aids is entirely possible

 

In this case, the only thing we recommend is that your hearing aids are in perfect condition so before you get into your car or sign up for a driving school, you can visit us to check them and make sure they are okay. It won't take long and you can start your journey right away.

 

It may also be a good time to renew them and choose an even more sophisticated model, such as the Phonak Audeo Marvel, which includes one of the most effective features of hearing aid technology: directional microphones. It reduces background noise and eliminates the unpleasant beeping of the hearing instrument before it becomes audible to you or the people around you. In addition, the Phonak Marvel has a robust and durable design that makes it very resistant to any situation.

 

On the other hand, DGT points out that depending on the degree of deafness, special precautions should be taken. Thus, in case of hearing loss of more than 45% in both ears, an interior panoramic mirror should be used to compensate for the hearing loss and to have a larger field of vision.

 

Let's drive!

 

As you can see, there is no special requirement for people who want to drive with hearing aids. For all students it is the same: to have turned 18, to pass the psycho-technical tests in which it is certified that you are able to drive and to pass the theoretical and practical exam.

 

Finally, can you give us a couple more seconds? We want to finish with our own name and surname: Ashley Fiolek, have you ever heard of her? If you still thought that a deaf woman could not fulfill her dream, you will change your mind as you know her trajectory. This professional motocross runner - now retired - knew that nothing and no one would take her dream away from her. Now they can't take away her credentials either: WMX Champion in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 and gold medal at Woman X-Games 2009.

 

We love to share these examples of improvement with you!