If you’re one of the approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) aged 18 and over who reports some trouble hearing, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, and are planning to take a rideshare to Burger City Grill in Historic Downtown Torrance, you may be wondering how you can optimize the experience. In this post, we review how to have the best rideshare experience with hearing loss.
Turn on the Assistive Features in the App
Popular rideshare apps used to schedule your rides offer assistive features that can improve your experience if you have hearing loss. Some of these features include in-app visual and vibrating alerts that let you know when your ride has arrived and when your driver has sent you a message. You can contact your preferred rideshare provider prior to making your travel plans in order to inquire what other assistive features they offer.
Talk to Your Driver About Your Communication Preferences
When you’re in the vehicle, after confirming your name and destination, talk to your driver about your communication preferences. For example, you may be able to request to sit in the front seat so you can turn to read their lips, or you can bring along a tablet for them to communicate with you while they’re not driving. In addition, some rideshare apps allow you to set a preference about whether you want your driver to talk to you at all during the ride.
Ask Your Driver to Turn the Radio Off or Down
It’s common for rideshare drivers to turn on music, either to fill the silence or set an ambiance. But if background music is going to make it hard for you to communicate with them, you can ask them to turn the radio off or down.
Visit Your Audiologist First
For those who experience hearing loss but haven’t yet sought treatment, know that an audiologist can prescribe hearing aids and other options that can improve your communication ability, including with your rideshare drivers.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with an expert audiologist, call Torrance Audiology today.