As we are now well into June, summer vacations are in full swing. When you have hearing aids, however, traveling can present more stress than the usual planning does. Luckily, we have some helpful tips for you to keep in mind while traveling with hearing aids. Whether you’re traveling by plane, bus, train, or car, and whether you’re staying in the country or traveling abroad, here are some simple measures you can take to help your vacation go smoothly.
Traveling by Airplane with Hearing Aids
- Audio announcements can be difficult to understand. Be sure to pay attention to monitors by the gates. They will display all of the arrival and departure times.
- Ask if telecommunication devices for the deaf, or hearing impaired, are available at the airport.
- If telecommunication devices are not available, consider requesting that a flight attendant communicate any in-flight announcements to you personally.
- Don’t take off your hearing aids while on flights, as it increases the chances that you will miss critical information.
- If you need more help, especially while traveling alone, ask a safety assistant. They can be a big help, particularly if you need special accommodations.
Traveling by Car, Train, or Bus with Hearing Aids
- If possible, avoid traveling alone. Bring a friend or family member with you to make communicating even easier, and to give you an extra set of ears.
- If traveling by train or bus, pay close attention to stops listed on signs. This will help to prevent you from missing a stop as a result of not hearing an announcement.
Hotel Tips for Hearing Aid Users
- Bring printed copies of your reservations to make communicating with front desk staff easier and help prevent miscommunication and confusion.
- Inform the front desk that you have a hearing loss so that they can contact you in person if it becomes necessary, such as in the case of an emergency.
General Tips to Prevent Travel Mishaps
- Bring enough replacement batteries with you for the entire trip, and a little extra just in case. If you are traveling abroad with rechargeable batteries, make sure that the charger plug you bring has the correct adapter for the country that you’re heading to.
- Always carry a cleaning kit, just in case. You never know the availability of cleaning supplies where you’re going.
- Design your itinerary with hearing aid friendly attractions in mind. If you’re bringing a guide dog with you, make sure the location allows dogs inside as well.
Better Hearing Starts with Canary Hearing
Are you experiencing hearing loss? Canary Hearing can help. We are a family owned and operated hearing aid dispensing practice with over 40 years of professional hearing correction experience. Our full-time hearing care professionals can assist you in selecting and fitting the right hearing aids to help you start living life to the fullest. Get in touch with Canary Hearing today or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.