The holiday season is a time of year when many of us travel. Travel as a hearing aid wearer can seem more challenging, but that shouldn’t stop you from traveling! To help, we’ve put together our top tips to reduce the stress of traveling with hearing aids:
- Our number one tip is to do as much of the planning at home as possible. Read reviews and study photos to find the best places to stay and dine. Choose the most hearing friendly venues and make reservations. Also, look for excursions to venues with suitable facilities and guides who can translate etc. Saving money by booking ahead is an added reward.
- When making your bookings, be sure to mention your hearing loss. You may find that further assistance is available for the hearing impaired.
- Be sure to keep spare hearing aid batteries, printed copies of your arrangements, a travel guide or map and a notepad and pen in your hand luggage.
- Sign up for updates and notifications so that you are kept up to date with all relevant information such as departures gates and times etc. and arrive in plenty of time.
- Look for useful apps such as translators for menus and signposts, local maps and timetables etc. Try to familiarize yourself with your travel location.
- Pack a dehumidifier, batteries or a charger for your hearing aid and a back-up plan such as a spare hearing aid or assistive listening device. Also look at available travel products such as a vibrating alarm.
- If you are traveling on public transport, use noise-canceling headphones to block out excess background noise rather than turning up the volume.
- Adjust your hearing aids accordingly and use them only when necessary, such as listening out for announcements. When not in use, store them safely and use ear protection.
- If traveling by airplane, alert security about your hearing aids when going through scanners. On board, you are allowed to use your hearing aids. For safety, just disable the FM function.
- If you’re flying, be aware that tinnitus symptoms may worsen from pressure changes. This article from the British Tinnitus Association can provide some helpful tips to ensure a comfortable flight.
Follow these 10 tips to make traveling with hearing aids easier.
Get Your Hearing Checked at Hearing Services of Delaware
If you would like to discuss your hearing concerns or to arrange a hearing assessment before you depart, don’t hesitate to get in touch. The team at Hearing Services of Delaware are here to help! Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our certified hearing care professionals.