Tips for Traveling with Hearing Loss

It can be a challenge to travel when you have hearing loss, and there are some extra precautions you might want to take. However, there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t travel as much as anyone else, whether you experience hearing loss – from mild to severe. Read on for some valuable tips that will help you when you are traveling with hearing loss. 

Prepare in Advance 

It’s easy to go online and book a hotel, flights even a rental car. But if you have hearing loss, you’ll need to pause a moment before making any bookings – it’s better to take a little extra time to get in touch with the airline and the hotel to ensure they can cater for those with hearing loss. 

Things to ask about in your hotel could include whether there are any rooms specifically designed for those with hearing loss or even if the rooms are set up that way in general. You will ideally need a phone that flashes instead of or as well as ringing and a doorbell that lights up so that you don’t miss anyone knocking on the door with room service. 

You can also check out the main tourist sites for where you are thinking of traveling to. Many museums in big cities, will have hearing loops installed, so make sure that is the case before you book. 

Use technology 

It won’t make a difference if you are flying, driving or going on your trip by train or bus, you can still download all the important information to your smartphone before you leave the house. 

Download the app relating to your airline or bus company. You’ll be able to get a full itinerary of the route, helping you know when to expect to arrive and how many stops there are before you get to your destination. You’ll also be able to stay up to date on all the vital information that you might not otherwise be aware of, such as a gate change or any delays. 

Let People Know 

Sometimes those with hearing loss don’t want to let anyone know they have the condition, either through pride or because they don’t want to be a bother. However, when you’re taking a trip, it’s the best thing you can do. Speak to your tour guide or travel agent and let them know that you have specific requirements.

In that way, they can ensure that you can get the most out of your vacation. Give specific ideas about how best to help you, such as whether they need to be facing you so you can lip read or that you need to be seated in a quiet area of the restaurant for your hearing aids to work well. Unless they know about this, they won’t be able to consciously do what you need them to and you might miss out. 

Bring Ear Protection 

You’re used to the volume of the noise at home and in your local area. You’ll know where the busy intersections are and where construction work is happening and where the quietest part of the local park is, so you can ensure you are always as comfortable as possible. 

When you’re away from home and exploring somewhere new, this won’t be the case. You won’t know where the noisy areas are or where best to sit quietly and until you get the lie of the land, it’s a good idea to bring ear protection with you. Earplugs or ear defenders can ensure you don’t get too uncomfortable. Or you might just choose to turn down the volume on your hearing aid until you get used to where you are. This will, of course, bring its own potential hazards with it, so be aware of any issues you might need to deal with if this is the choice you make. 

Pack extra batteries 

If you wear hearing devices, you’ll need power to make them work, so ensure you take many spare batteries with you. Although these batteries will often be available wherever you are traveling to, it can be hard to find them and, in some cases, they won’t be there at all. It’s a safer plan to bring your own and replace them when you need to. 

Know Where to Find Help 

If your hearing aid stops working, then you should know where to find help. Know where the local audiologist is or ensure you have spares with you. 

The best thing to do is have your hearing aid checked out before you leave to ensure it is in the best working order. For this and any other hearing loss questions or requirements, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at 912-351-3038.