There are two types of vacations, right? One type is full of activities the whole time. These are the trips that are remembered for years later and are packed with adventure, and you head back to work more exhausted than you left.
Then there are the relaxing kinds of vacations. These are the trips where you might not do, well, much of anything. Perhaps you spend the entire time on the beach with some cocktails. Or maybe you’re getting spoiled at some resort for your whole vacation. These are the peaceful and relaxing kinds of vacations.
There’s no right or wrong way to vacation. But untreated hearing loss can put a damper on whichever kind of vacation you take.
Hearing loss can ruin a vacation
There are some distinct ways that hearing loss can make a vacation more difficult, especially if you don’t recognize you have hearing loss. Many individuals who have hearing loss don’t even recognize they have it and it eventually creeps up on them. The volume on all their devices just continues going higher and higher.
The nice thing is that there are a few proven ways to reduce the impact hearing loss could have on your vacation. Scheduling a hearing exam is obviously the first step. The more ready you are before you go, the easier it will be to reduce any power hearing loss could have over your fun, rest, and relaxation.
How can your vacation be effected by hearing loss
So how can hearing loss negatively effect your next vacation? There are actually a small number of ways as it turns out. And while some of them might seem a bit insignificant at first, they have a tendency to add up! Here are a few common instances:
- You can miss significant moments with friends and family: Maybe your friend just told a hilarious joke that everyone loved, except you couldn’t make out the punchline. Important and enriching conversations can be missed when you have untreated hearing loss.
- Essential notices come in but you frequently miss them: Perhaps you miss your flight because you didn’t hear the boarding call. This can cast your entire vacation timing into chaos.
- You can miss out on the radiance of a new place: When what you’re hearing is muted, your experience may be muted as well. After all, you could fail to hear the distinctive bird calls or humming traffic noises that make your vacation spot unique and memorable.
- Getting past language barriers can be frustrating: It’s hard enough to contend with a language barrier. But deciphering voices with hearing loss, especially when it’s very noisy, makes it much more difficult.
A number of these negative outcomes can be prevented by simply using your hearing aids. So, taking care of your hearing requirements is the ideal way to keep your vacation on track.
How to get ready for your vacation when you have hearing loss
That doesn’t mean that you can’t go on a trip if you have hearing loss. That’s nowhere near the case! But it does mean that, when you’re dealing with hearing loss, a little bit of additional planning and preparation, can help ensure your vacation goes as easily as possible. Of course, that’s pretty common travel advice no matter how strong your hearing is.
You can be certain that hearing loss won’t have a negative effect on your vacation, here are some things you can do:
- Bring extra batteries: Having your hearing aids die on the first day is no fun! Always make sure you bring spares! So are you allowed to take spare batteries on a plane? The precise rules and guidelines will depend on which airline you’re using. Some types of batteries need to be stored in your carry-on.
- Keep your hearing aids clean: It’s a smart plan to make sure your hearing aids are clean and working properly before you jump on a plane, train, or automobile. If you have clean hearing aids, you’re less likely to have difficulties on vacation. Keeping your hearing aids on their regular maintenance is also a smart idea.
- Do a little pre-planning: When you have to figure things out as you go, that’s when hearing loss can introduce some difficulties, so don’t be too spontaneous and prepare as much as you can.
Tips for traveling with hearing aids
Finally, it’s time to hit the road now that all the preparation and planning have been done! Or maybe it’s the airways. Many people have questions about flying with hearing aids, and there are certainly some good things to understand before you go to the airport.
- Should I be aware of my rights? Before you travel it’s never a bad plan to get familiar with your rights. If you’re dealing with hearing loss, you’ll have many rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. 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.
- Will my smartphone be helpful? This will not be shocking, but your smartphone is really useful! Once you land, you can use this device to change the settings on your hearing aid (if you have the correct kind of hearing aid), find directions to your destination, and even translate foreign languages. If your phone is prepared to do all that (and you know how to use all those apps), it may take some stress off your ears.
- Is it ok to fly with hearing aids in? When they tell you it’s time to off your electronic devices, you won’t be required to turn your hearing aids off. But it’s a good idea to enable flight mode if your hearing aid relies heavily on Bluetooth connectivity or wifi. You might also want to tell the flight attendants you have hearing loss, as there could be announcements during the flight that are hard to hear.
- Do I need to take my hearing aids out when I go through TSA security? You won’t need to remove your hearing aids for the security screening. That being said, letting the TSA agents know you’re wearing hearing aids is always a good plan. If there is any kind of conveyor belt or X-ray machines, make sure your hearing aids don’t go through that belt. Conveyor-belt style X-ray machines can generate a static charge that can damage your hearing devices.
- When I’m in the airport, how well will I be able to hear? How well you can hear in the 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 device is specially made to help people with hearing aids hear their surroundings better.
- Is it ok to wear my hearing aids longer than usual? Most hearing specialists will suggest that you wear your hearing aids all day, every day. So, any time you aren’t in bed, taking a shower, or going for a swim (or in an extremely noisy environment), you should be using your devices.
Vacations are one of life’s many adventures
Whether you have loss of hearing or not, vacations are hard to predict. At times, the train can go off the rails. That’s why it’s essential to have a good mindset and treat your vacation like you’re embracing the unanticipated.
That way you’ll still feel like your plans are on track even when the unavoidable challenge occurs.
But you will be caught off guard less if you make good preparations. When something goes awry, with the correct preparations, you can keep it from going out of control.
For individuals who have hearing loss, this preparation frequently begins by getting your hearing evaluated and making certain you have the equipment and care you require. And that’s true whether you’re going to every museum in New York City (vacation type number one) or hanging out on a beach in Mexico (vacation type number two).
Still have some questions or concerns? Make an appointment with us for a hearing exam!
