There are a couple of types of vacations, right? One kind is full of activities at all times. This kind will leave you more exhausted than when you left but all of the adventures will be recalled for years to come.
The other kind is all about relaxing. You might not even do much of anything on this kind of vacation. Perhaps you drink a bit of wine. Maybe you spend a day (or two, or three) on the beach. Or perhaps you’re getting spoiled at some resort for your entire vacation. These kinds of vacations will leave you really rested and recharged.
There’s no best to vacation. But neglected hearing loss can jeopardize whichever kind of vacation you take.
Your vacation can be spoiled by hearing loss
There are some distinct ways that hearing loss can make a vacation more challenging, especially if you don’t know you have hearing loss. Look, hearing loss can sneak up on you like nobody’s business, many individuals have no clue they have it. On all their devices, the volume just keeps going higher and higher.
But the impact that hearing loss can have on a vacation can be minimized with some proven methods, and that’s the good news. Scheduling a hearing exam is obviously the first step. The effect that hearing loss has on your good times will be greatly diminished the more prepared you are before you go.
How can hearing loss effect your vacation
So how can your next vacation be negatively effected by hearing loss? There are actually a small number of ways as it turns out. By themselves, they may not seem like that big of a deal. But when they begin to compound it can become a real issue. Some common illustrations include the following:
- You miss important notices: Maybe you’re waiting for your train or aircraft to board, but you never hear the announcement. And as a result, your entire vacation schedule is cast into total chaos.
- You can miss out on the vibrancy of a new place: Your experience can be rather dull when everything you hear is muted. After all, you could miss out on the unique bird calls or humming traffic noises that make your vacation spot unique and memorable.
- You can miss important moments with family and friends: Perhaps your friend just told a hilarious joke that everyone loved, except you couldn’t hear the punchline. When you have untreated hearing loss, you can miss important (and enriching) conversations.
- Language barriers are even more difficult: Managing a language barrier is already difficult enough. But deciphering voices with hearing loss, especially when it’s very noisy, makes it much harder.
A number of these negative situations can be averted by simply using your hearing aids. So, taking care of your hearing needs is the ideal way to keep your vacation on track.
If you have hearing loss, how can you get ready for your vacation?
That doesn’t mean that you can’t go on vacation if you have hearing loss. Not by any Means! But with a little extra planning and preparation, your vacation can still be enjoyable and fairly stress-free. Whether or not you have hearing loss, this is obviously good travel advice.
You can be sure that hearing loss won’t have a negative effect on your vacation, here are a few things you can do:
- Do some pre-planning: It’s okay to be spontaneous to some degree, but the more planning you do beforehand, the less you’ll have to figure things out on the fly (and that’s when hearing loss can introduce more obstacles).
- Keep your hearing aids clean: It’s a good idea to make certain your hearing aids are clean and functioning properly before you hop on a plane, train, or automobile. This can help prevent problems from happening while you’re on your vacation. Keeping your hearing aids on their regular maintenance is also a good plan.
- Pack extra batteries: There’s nothing worse than your hearing aid dying the first day because your batteries quit. Always make sure you bring spares! So are you allowed to bring spare batteries on a plane? The exact rules and guidelines will depend on the airline. Some types of batteries must be stored in your carry-on.
Hearing aid travel tips
Once all the preparation and planning is done, it’s time to hit the road! Or possibly it’s the airways. Before you go out to the airport, there are some things about going on a plane with hearing aids you should definitely be aware of.
- When I’m in the airport, how well will I be able to hear? How well you can hear in an airport will depend on which airport it is and what time of day. But most modern airports will have a telecoil device setup throughout many areas. This is a simple wire device (though you’ll never see that wire, just look for the signs) that makes it easier for you to hear with your hearing aids, even when things are noisy and chaotic.
- Do I have some rights I need to be aware of? It’s a good idea! In general, it’s good to familiarize yourself with your rights before you travel. Under the American Disabilities Act, individuals with hearing loss have lots of special rights. Basically, you have to have access to information. Talk to an airport official about a solution if you think you’re missing some info and they will most likely be able to help.
- How helpful is my smartphone? This will not be surprising, but your smartphone is really helpful! You can use your smartphone to find directions to your destination, translate foreign languages, and if you have the correct type of hearing aid, you can utilize your smartphone to adjust your settings to your new environment. You may be able to take some stress off your ears if you’re able to use your phone in this way.
- Is it ok to use my hearing aids longer than normal? Hearing aids are designed to be used every day, all day. So you should be wearing your hearing aids anytime you aren’t in an extremely loud place, swimming, or showering.
- Is it ok to take a flight with hearing aids in? You won’t need to turn your hearing aids off when you get that “all electronics must be off” spiel. But it’s a good idea to enable flight mode if your hearing aid relies heavily on Bluetooth connectivity or wifi. Some of the in-flight announcements could be hard to hear so be certain that you tell the flight attendant about your hearing loss.
- When I go through the TSA security checkpoint, will I be required to remove my hearing aids? You won’t need to take your hearing aids out for the security screening. It’s generally a good idea to tell the TSA agents that you’re wearing them. Never allow your hearing aids to go through an X-ray machine or conveyor belt. Conveyor-belt style X-ray machines can generate a static charge that can damage your hearing aids.
Life is an adventure, and that includes vacations
Whether you have loss of hearing or not, vacations are unpredictable. Sometimes, the train can go off the rails. So be prepared for the unforeseen and try to have a good attitude.
That way, when something unexpected occurs (and it will), it’ll feel like it’s all part of the plan!
But you will be caught off guard less if you make good preparations. With the right preparation, you can make sure you have options when something goes awry, so an inconvenience doesn’t grow into a catastrophe.
For those who have hearing loss, this preparation frequently begins by having your hearing tested and making certain you have the hardware and care you need. And whether you’re taking vacation number one (sightseeing in the city), or vacation number two (relaxing on a tropical beach somewhere), this advice will still hold.
Want to be certain you can hear the big world out there but still have concerns? Give us a call today!