Traveling With Hearing Loss – Advice For You

Hearing loss is one of the most common health conditions worldwide. This is because while some people can experience hearing loss or full deafness due to genetic factors, they can also experience it through general daily living. Anyone who works in a loud environment without adequate hearing protection can experience it, and if we’re lucky enough to enter our golden years, hearing loss becomes all the more common. As we get older, in fact, our ears are no longer able to pick up higher frequencies we may have heard in our youth.

For this reason, learning to adjust to life with hearing loss, no matter how you experience it, is a common experience for millions across the globe. If this is you, and you’re experiencing life anew for the first time, you may, understandably, be looking for some advice.

In this post, we intend to help you. Let’s discuss how to travel with hearing loss for the first time while remaining safe and having the wonderful time you envisioned:

Managing Hearing Aids

It’s wise to always pack extra batteries or a portable charging case if your hearing aids are rechargeable. The last thing you want is to be stuck in a noisy airport with no way to hear important announcements. It’s also a good idea to bring a small cleaning kit to keep your devices in good working order, especially if you’re heading to a humid environment that might be dustier than you had anticipated.

You might also want to keep your hearing aids in during takeoff and landing to hear any instructions, or if wearing them for the first time, learn about using hearing aids with glasses so they’re not uncomfortable before you set off.

Heard Of Hearing Accessibility Tips

While accessibility for individuals with hearing loss isn’t perfect, it’s so much better than how things used to be. Many airports and train stations now offer hearing loops, which are systems that work with your hearing aids to improve sound clarity in noisy environments. These loops are usually marked with a symbol of an ear, so keep an eye out for them. If you’re staying in a hotel, it’s worth requesting a room equipped with hearing accessibility features, such as visual alert systems for the phone and doorbell, which many have. Remember, there’s no shame in asking, though not all countries will have these options as standard.

Communicating Your Disability

Communicating your hearing loss doesn’t have to be awkward or uncomfortable, remember you have nothing to feel inconvenient about. If you have a disability, accessibility should be provided for you.

For example, when you check in at the airport or hotel, it’s a good idea to mention your hearing loss so the staff can offer assistance if needed. This can be particularly helpful when boarding a flight as discussed above, or it might help you be seated in a more suitable area of a restaurant. Learning a simple shorthand sign language or phrase to communicate you have limited hearing can help service staff understand and respond in kind.

With this advice, you’re certain to travel with hearing loss and have a great time doing so.