purplecatty

I live in Kansas and they don't even add restriction on DL for hearing aid! Just glasses or contact Len. If you're HH or Deaf, they don't care what you have. As long as you can drive car safetly, that's important. They simply said that Deaf people are the best driver becasue they can spot a flashing lights (ambulance, firetruck, or police) through mirrors and pull over before Hearing driver can hear. Also they use eyes to scan through traffice ahead of them. It was a proud moment when me and my deaf friend were in HS Driver's education and Instructor told everyone about it. Everyone looked at us like we're just the best people heh heeh Hi everyone!!

Catty

Deafness

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VamPyroX

I guess it depends on why they're asking you. Did you ask them why the question was asked and what would happen if you gave them a YES or NO answer?

My license says that I need hearing aid or side mirrors. If a cop pulled me over and looked at my license, he would then have to check one of the two... do I have side mirrors or am I wearing my hearing aid? If one or the other is "yes", then I'm fine.

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D-neen

Very good point! That's what I would explain it too. A deaf friend of mine she have been full of deaf for years and been driving for years without hearing aid. The only thing in Maryland laws that I know must have front mirror .. left and r side mirror. I do have sidekick tmobile I never play with it while I am driving. Because I know better. The worse problem is the hearing use their cellphone while driving. The highest rates are the hearing driver than the deafie.

Buffalo

I prefer to drive with my hearing aids switched off. The noises are too distracting for me.

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PowerON

I agree. It rack my head while driving.

For many years without hearing aids, I find more focus on road. Of course, my mobile phone is being distracting on me. tee-hee.

Gosh, both mobile phone and hearing aids. I couldn't imagine that it's too much.

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Pinky678

That's right. I know it's too noise. I prefer to listen the music and bass. By the way, I am not drive. I am a passenger person. Do you like to listen the music during you're drive?

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Buffalo

No music. In fact, I forbid anybody playing music in my car. Too distracting for me.

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Jolie_77

You know, distractions will always be there while we drive. It doesn't matter if we are deaf or hearing. We all get distracted by using cellphones, sidekicks, signing/speaking, drinking a cup, looking at signs that are on display, attractions, so and on.

As each state varies with their driving law, some are required to have such restrictions but I have not seen or heard of a case where they (the police) pulls you over just because you're deaf. I've been pulled over couple of times myself (Yeah, I'm a leadfoot ) and not once, the cops has not gave me a ticket due to my deafness.

If we were to be ticketed just because we're deaf - There will be a lot of backpedaling. We have gone a long way to fight for our rights to drive.

shel90

I have been driving for 20 years now ( Iam 36) and no accidents. Just fender benders by other drivers. During those 20 years, I have driven several times without my hearing aids. Even with them on, I dont see how they can help me to be a better driver.

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Reba

Just keep one of these handy-dandy ear trumpet "hearing devices" in your car at all times. If you get pulled over, stick it in your ear and say, "Eh?"

http://www.medicalindexing.co.uk/rob/hearing/hanuck.gif




Well, it's a hearing device, right? The application form didn't specify what kind.

shel90

That has to be one of the funniest things I have ever read!! Oh man...I just cracked up big time when I saw the link. LOL!

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deafbajagal

Hurry! Knock on wood!

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Rainshower77

I have sharper eyes, and even with my hearing aids, I still can't hear the siren (and I can hear ok with my hearing aids too, just that the car is SOOOOO noisy)

I got pulled over twice, and I didn't need to use my hearing aids.. I have never hear the car horn in my life while driving. And when a ambulance comes, I noticed it from my rearview because I check my rearview often for stuffs like that.

So the answers is no, but they should tell you the answer to it in your handbook anyway.

Some people use their cellphone while drivi

Rainshower77

Everyone need a side mirror in VA..
I don't even know what this mirror that some of you talking about anyway (if it is left and right outside mirrors, yep we got them)... and My dmv do not give out hearing tests

But if I wanted to have a special plate to notify EMT or Polices that I am deaf, I have to have a written from a doctor.

I think the biggest problem for deafs is learning how to drive from a instructor.. He can't really teach you if you can't look at him while driving. but once you learn, you're alright.

RichardDeaf

I hate when driver texting or chat away on cell phone.. Whenever you text or talk while driving, you drive a little slower than rest of car which led to road jams.. 2 weeks ago, a lady was chatting on phone and NEARLY hit my company vehicle when she tried to change lane and didn't see me!! That pissed me off.

Too bad, my state doesn't have law forbidding drivers from using phone while driving for people over 18.. Only under 18 are forbidden from using cell phone at all while driving.

purplecatty

Yes, been there. I have had close call with a woman talking on cellphone at the parking lot. Luckily, using my common sense. I looked ahead and saw her driving and look like she's not paying attention. I stopped my truck and sit there when I supposed to go thru. She drove past by me without stopping. Sheesh. If I went a head without stopping, she'll crashed on side of my truck.

This is unbelievable. It make no different whether hearing or deaf, they drive same tho.

When I got pulled over for speeding. When officers approached me at my driver's side, I motioned him pointing my ear and say "I'm deaf". He understood quickly and wrote me a note. He gave me warning ticket and told me slow down lol. In Olathe, KS, many officers signs because there are many deaf people living there plus Kansas School of the Deaf located there. Some of my friends were nabbed by Olathe cops for speeding and other things in the past. Olathe cops are treating deafie just like everyone else. They will not let them go free because they're deaf. Luckily, I don't live there lol.

Catty

Ozzie

Same here ... cannot stand to have any music in the car! Like peace and quiet so I can concentrate on driving.

cdmeggers

I normally wear my hearing aid when I drive, but it doesn't really help me to hear what's going on around me. Emergency sirens, PFT! I don't hear them unless they are EXTREMELY close to me (I see their flashing lights first before I hear them). and I hear more car/truck sounds than anything else, so I rather drive with my hearing aid off (or turned off). I will more likely have my hearing aid turned on if I'm driving in bad weather, just in case.

as for the hands-free thing... at Camp LeJeune in North Carolina, they have a sign that says you can drive and use a hands free device with your cellphone. You can NOT be holding your cell phone up to your ear and drive at the same time, you'll get ticketed. Just something I noticed while I was there. Why they have that system in Camp LeJeune, I have no idea.

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