OF COURSE you can drive if you are deaf. This statement is backed up by the government’s own website that states on driving deaf that you only have to inform the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency (DVLA) about your condition if you are driving a bus, coach or lorry.
It’s all about confidence
It’s more difficult learning to drive if you rely on sign language than carrying out the actual function of driving. There are, however, specialist-driving instructors for the deaf who will be able to help you overcome this hurdle. If you have a hearing aid from Hidden Hearing then you can rely on your ears and your eyes when on the road. Those who are hard of hearing or who don’t wear any aids will have to develop the confidence to overcome any potential problems and hazards.
Awareness of others
A leading blogger who is profoundly deaf pointed out that it’s probably as dangerous to drive accompanied by loud thumping music, as it is to drive when you’re hard of hearing. Deaf drivers are just as aware as other road users of an oncoming emergency vehicle as the blue flashing lights can be seen in a rear view mirror.
It might take a deaf driver a little longer to react to the emergency service sirens, those with good hearing should react as soon as they hear a klaxon, whereas a deaf driver will only respond once the visual alert is in sight, but that doesn’t mean that a deaf driver is any less safe. It’s the drivers who don’t make room for a passing ambulance or fire engine that are the ones who aren’t driving responsibly.
Changing gear
Some deaf drivers become concerned that as they can’t hear the engine they won’t know when to change gear or be alerted to any problems they may have with their engines. In the case of gear changing, a deaf driver will soon be able to feel the engine revs with their feet and learn when is the right time to change gear. As for engine problems, modern cars are fitted with so many flashing lights on the dashboard to alert the driver to any engine malfunction that this situation is almost redundant.
Obviously hearing sat navs will be a problem but short of missing out on the dulcet tones of well known actresses giving you directions orally you can still benefit from the sat nav visuals and plot your route accordingly. Alternatively, you can go old school and use a map, after all some sat navs will still lead you to a piece of waste land rather than your chosen destination.
Communication with passengers
The main problems arise when passengers are trying to communicate with a driver who is deaf. You can get around this problem by fitting an additional mirror on the dashboard to reflect a passenger’s face in order to lip read. Or you can enjoy your drive in peace without being constantly interrupted by a garrulous passenger who keeps on hindering your train of thought.
