MIRROR, SIGNAL, WHAT?

Hearing loss and learning to drive

We’re about to resume Sue’s driving lessons which we had to put aside last summer due to other demands and then shortening days – a deaf person trying to take instruction in the dark is a no hoper.

Road and control usage were not a problem, Sue started riding motorcycles at 17 and only stopped riding her 800 Kwak when Meniere’s made it too wobbly. I’d been thinking about that first lesson while we drove along quiet country lanes one day and Sue said ‘stop here, I’m going to drive.’ We stuck red Ls on, swapped places and as I started a pep talk Sue checked mirrors, pulled away smoothly and drove (even though we didn’t get past second gear) for a couple of miles. First time, excellent.

Full of enthusiasm we continued, Sue managed road placement very well and got as far as fourth gear. Instructional communications had been awkward, so I tended to let her drive after I’d put across what needed to be said first.

One day when Sue was driving she negotiated a left turn and hit neutral instead of second gear. The turn was taken rather faster than ideal, but Sue had experience enough not to split her attention by trying for a gear and instead came to a controlled stop. I will say to the world at large – I wasn’t worried, honest, just aware that we had a problem communicating when Sue needed all her attention for the road.  Sue’s getting behind the wheel again this month and I wonder if I am the best person to teach her or should we look for a deaf aware driving school. Any thoughts out there?