Traveling with Hearing Loss

  The holiday season is here and many of us will be traveling to spend time with family and friends. For those with hearing loss, traveling can be an extra challenge. Here are some tips to follow to make traveling with hearing loss safer and easier.   Prepare

• If you have a travel partner or partners, make plans together or at least make sure everyone knows the plans ahead of time to reduce any confusion or miscommunication.
• Utilize online reservations for flights, transportation, hotels, and activities. Try to choose a seat on a flight or train where the crew can find you and communicate with you easily if needed.
• If you will be planning activities while you are traveling, ask about accommodations for people with hearing loss. Guided tours often have options for hearing and listening assistance, some of which can pair easily with your hearing aids. Theaters typically have accommodations for people with hearing loss too. Know what the options are ahead of time so you can ask your Audiologist if your hearing aids are compatible.
• Check with the hotel you will be staying in if there are accommodations available such as visual alarm clocks, fire alarms, and phones.

Pack

• Make a checklist of everything you need for your hearing aids. Supplies you may need include: storage case, batteries, wax traps, cleaning tools, chargers, or wireless accessories. If you are traveling abroad, do not forget the voltage converter for your chargers. If you are traveling to a humid location, bring a hearing aid drying kit to help reduce the impact of moisture on your hearing aids. The Audiologists at Mile High Hearing always have all of those supplies in stock if you need extra for your travels.

Notifications   

• Sign up for email and text confirmations and alerts so you stay in the loop and do not miss any important announcements about delays or changes in departure times.

Advocate

• When going through TSA security at the airport, make sure to leave your hearing aids on. TSA recommends you inform the security officer before the screening process that you have hearing loss. Learn more about TSA recommendations. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures?field_disability_type_value=2%20
• Notify the flight attendants or the person seated next to you that you have hearing loss so they will let you know about any announcements.

Hearing Protection

• Ear plugs are a must when traveling! The loud noise of the airplane not only can be tiring, but can also cause hearing damage, especially during long flights. If you will be participating in any loud activities while traveling like concerts, sporting events, hunting, etc. you do not want to be without earplugs to protect your hearing.

  Check with the Audiologists at Mile High Hearing if you have any questions about how your hearing aids can be utilized to enhance your listening experience while traveling!