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Travel is one of the life’s greatest past times, whether you’re going near or far. The experience of stepping out of your comfort zone and experiencing new sights is worth all of the work that it takes to prepare. The experiencing of travel can be stressful, from delayed flights and missed buses. But as they say, it’s all about the journey – not necessarily the destination!
For people with hearing loss, the use of hearing aids reconnects us to our world. Whether it’s a conversation at the café or your seatmate on the plane, traveling with hearing loss is entirely possible with a pair of hearing aids customized to meet your hearing needs.
Indeed, traveling with hearing loss comes with its own set of stresses. Here, we provide a few tips to make your trip a little bit easier.
Get Your Hearing Tested and Your Hearing Aids Updated
Before you head out on your trip, make sure that your hearing aids are up to date. If you’ve noticed that your hearing aids are no longer working as well as they once did, it may be time for a new hearing test and adjustments to your hearing aids. Visit us at New Leaf Hearing Clinic for an updated hearing test. Our team can take a look at your hearing aids; if repairs are necessary, we’ll have your hearing aids ready for your trip in a jiffy.
Make a Packing List
For those of us who use hearing aids to treat hearing loss, we know that it’s not just about the devices. Hearing aids require daily upkeep to function properly. Make sure you add your cleaning supplies and tools to your checklist when packing.
If you plan to travel to a foreign country, check the electrical outlet requirements before you go. If you use rechargeable hearing aids, you may need to pick up an adaptor in order for your charging station to function properly. For people who use traditional hearing aid batteries, make sure you have a supply of batteries to last the extent of your trip. It may be difficult to locate the specific batteries you need – and besides, wouldn’t you rather relax and enjoy your vacation than run around trying to find batteries?
If you’re going to a place that’s humid, consider investing in a dehumidifying unit. These are designed to draw out moisture that has accumulated in your hearing aids throughout the day, ensuring that they’re moisture-free. The accumulation of moisture could be harmful to the sensitive electronic components of your hearing aids.
Use Technology to Your Advantage
Sign up for text messages or email alerts from your airlines before you head out to the airport. At the airport, it may be difficult to hear above the crowds of people and the overall din. You don’t want to miss an announcement over the PA system about any flight changes or delays.
When checking in, let the ticket agent know that you may need extra assistance. If you use wireless hearing aids, you might consider using your smartphone’s microphone to amplify sound at the ticket counter, if you’re struggling to converse with the ticket agent. Certain smartphone-compatible hearing aids have the ability to pick up and amplify speech sounds, giving you an extra boost.
If your hearing aids have a telecoil function, you might want to check out if the airport has a hearing loop system for assistive listening. Simply switch your hearing aids to the t-coil function and link into the airport’s PA system to hear announcements, streamed directly to your ears. Generally speaking, all public spaces in the US are required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide accommodations for people with hearing loss. If you find it challenging to make your way through the airport, from the counter to your gate, ask for help from your airline’s representative.
Arriving at Your Destination
If you are staying at a hotel during your stay, let the concierge know if you have any needs for accommodation. Hotels often offer vibrating alarm clocks, or light alerts to notify you of emergencies or fire alarms. They also offer wake up calls that are tailored for people with hearing loss. Make sure to store your hearing aids in a cool, dry place. It is not recommended to leave your hearing aids in the bathroom, where they may collect moisture.
If you are staying with friends or family, make sure you let them know if you need anything during your stay. Be sure to store your hearing aids in a dry, cool, safe space, away from kids and pets. Hearing aids are quite small and could potentially be choking hazards.
Visit Us at New Leaf Hearing Clinic
Planning to take a big trip? Don’t forget to drop in and visit us at New Leaf Hearing Clinic for hearing aid supplies, a hearing aid tune-up, and more. From all of us at New Leaf Hearing Clinic, we wish you safe travels!