Traveling With Hearing Loss – 5 Do’s and Don’ts

Traveling is a valuable experience. Whether you are going on a vacation, business trip, or traveling for other reasons, the hearing loss issue must not affect your travel plans in any way. You must make sure to plan things carefully for a smooth travel experience, particularly if you are suffering from hearing loss issues.

Let’s look at the do’s and don’ts while traveling with a hearing loss issue.

Do’s:

• Plan Your Travel Well in Advance: It is advisable that you plan your trip well in advance so that there is no last-minute rush and you can smoothly move ahead with your journey. Also, with a little planning, there will be lesser chances of confusion and unnecessary communication. Carry all necessary documents and reach the airport/station early to avoid any hassles.

• Wear Your Hearing Aid Assistive Devices: You must wear your hearing aid/assistive devices during your journey. It ensures smooth communication and helps in keeping track of any announcements/information during the travel. You can also buy hearing aids online these days. A variety of convenient hearing aids such as Bluetooth hearing aids are also available in the market. If you are using hearing aids for the first time, it is better to get accustomed to them well before the journey.

• Carry Extra Batteries, charging devices, and other accessories: Keep extra batteries and other accessories for your hearing aid and pack them in different pieces of baggage. Since it may be harder for you to get these accessories at unfamiliar places, it is better to carry them with you.

• Keep People Informed About Your Requirements: Don’t hesitate and keep people around you aware and informed about your hearing loss. It will also help to convey your special requirements if any and you can expect better cooperation from your fellow passengers, travel, guides, flight assistants, and other people.

• Make Use of Technology: It is a better idea to make use of the relevant apps available and download them in advance. It can help you quickly book cabs, gather information about places you are visiting, and keeping track of your flights/trains, etc. This can minimize your communication requirements and help you stay more confident.

Don’ts:

• Packing Your Hearing Aid and its Accessories with check-in luggage: If you are using a hearing aid, you must wear it or at least keep it handy so that it can be used whenever required. Also, you can pack a few important accessories in your cabin baggage so that you can reach them quickly. For example, a charging device must be handy if using a rechargeable hearing aid.

• Traveling to Unfamiliar Places Alone: If the place or its language is unfamiliar to you, it will be even more difficult to communicate. It is a better idea to travel with friends or family who can help you in understanding things better and can communicate on your behalf.

• Hiding Your Hearing Loss Problem: It is not a great idea to hide your hearing loss. You must let people around you know about your hearing impairment and should freely ask for help whenever required. Also, there may be special facilities available for people with hearing loss at different places you are visiting, and hence you must inform the authorities to avail them.

• Not Taking Proper Care of Your Hearing Aid: Even if you are using the best-rated hearing aid, it needs proper care and maintenance. You must always keep it in a protective case when not in use. It is important to keep them away from dust, moisture, and dirt to avoid any damage during the travel. Also, it must be kept at a specific location so that you can find it quickly when you need it.

• Not Taking Enough Time Margin While Boarding: It is crucial that you travel with enough time margins while boarding a flight or a train. Even with all the planning, there may be some unexpected situations that you may take longer to resolve due to your hearing loss. Hence it is advisable to reach the airport or station well in time, considering any adverse situations.

Advance Planning for a Trouble-Free Travel:

Even with a hearing loss, a little planning in advance can help you travel smoothly. You just need to get your bookings in advance and communicate about your hearing loss freely to your tour manager, fellow travelers, etc. Also, make sure to carry your hearing aid and its accessories carefully.