There are two types of vacations, right? One type is full of activities at all times. This type will leave you more exhausted than when you left but all of the fun will be remembered for many years to come.
Then there are the relaxing kinds of vacations. These are the trips where you might not do, well, much of anything. Perhaps you drink some wine. Maybe you spend a day (or two, or three) on the beach. Or possibly you spend your entire vacation at some kind of resort, getting pampered the whole time. These kinds of vacations will leave you really rested and recharged.
Everybody has their own idea of the perfect vacation. Whatever method you choose, however, untreated hearing loss can put your vacation at risk.
Your vacation can be ruined by hearing loss
Your vacation can become a challenge if you have hearing loss, particularly if you’re not aware of it. Many individuals who have hearing loss don’t even know they have it and it eventually creeps up on them. They just keep cranking the volume on their tv louder and louder.
The good news is that there are a few proven ways to reduce the effect hearing loss might have on your vacation. The first step, of course, will be to schedule a hearing screening if you haven’t already. The more ready you are ahead of time, the easier it will be to diminish any power hearing loss could have over your fun, rest, and relaxation.
How can your vacation be effected by hearing loss
So how can your next vacation be negatively impacted by hearing loss? 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! Some common examples include the following:
- Important notices come in but you often miss them: Maybe you miss your flight because you failed to hear the boarding call. And as a result, your entire vacation schedule is thrown into absolute chaos.
- You can miss important moments with family and friends: Maybe your friend just told a great joke that everybody loved, except you couldn’t hear the punchline. When you have untreated hearing loss, you can miss significant (and enriching) conversations.
- You can miss out on the vibrancy of a new place: Your experience can be rather lackluster when everything you hear is muted. After all, your favorite vacation place is alive with unique sounds, like bustling street sounds or singing birds.
- Language barriers are even more challenging: Managing a language barrier is already difficult enough. But neglected hearing loss can make it even harder to understand voices (particularly in a noisy situation).
Of course, if you’re wearing your hearing aids, some of these negative impacts can be mitigated and decreased. Which means the best way to keep your vacation moving in the right direction and stress free is to manage your hearing needs before you start.
How to get ready for your vacation when you have hearing loss
All of this isn’t to say that hearing loss makes a vacation unachievable. That’s nowhere near the case! But it does mean that, when you have hearing loss, a little bit of additional planning and preparation, can help ensure your vacation goes as easily as possible. Whether or not you have hearing loss, this is definitely practical travel advice.
You can be sure that hearing loss won’t have a negative impact on your vacation, here are a number of things you can do:
- Pack extra batteries: Having your hearing aids die on the first day is no fun! Remember to bring some spare batteries. So are you allowed to take spare batteries on a plane? Well, maybe, consult your airline. You may need to put your batteries in your carry-on depending on the kind of battery.
- Do some pre-planning: It’s okay to remain spontaneous to a degree, but the more planning you do ahead of time, the less you’ll need to figure things out on the fly (and that’s when hearing loss can present more obstacles).
- Clean your hearing aids: It’s a good plan to make certain your hearing aids are clean and working correctly before you jump on a plane, train, or automobile. If you have clean hearing aids, you’re much less likely to have difficulties on vacation. Keeping your hearing aids on their regular maintenance is also a good idea.
Tips for traveling with hearing aids
Finally, it’s time to hit the road now that all the planning and preparation have been done! Or possibly it’s the airways. Many people have questions about flying with hearing aids, and there are definitely some good things to understand before you head to the airport.
- Will I be able to hear well in the airport? How well you can hear in an airport will depend on what airport it is and what time of day. But most modern airports will have a telecoil device installed throughout many areas. This is a simple wire device (although 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 loud and chaotic.
- Is it ok to wear my hearing aids longer than usual? Hearing aids are meant to be used every day, all day. So, any time you aren’t in bed, showering, or swimming (or in a really noisy environment), you should be using your devices.
- 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. That said, you might want to enable flight mode on hearing aids that heavily rely on wifi or Bluetooth connectivity. Some of the in-flight announcements may be hard to hear so be certain that you tell the flight attendant about your hearing loss.
- Will my smartphone be helpful? Your smartphone is extremely helpful, not surprisingly. Once you land, you can use this device to adjust the settings on your hearing aid (if you have the correct type of hearing aid), get directions to your destination, and even translate foreign languages. You may be able to take some stress off your ears if you’re able to use your phone like this.
- Should I be aware of my rights? It’s a good idea! In general, it’s good to become familiar with your rights before you go. 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. Speak with an airport official about a solution if you suspect you’re missing some information and they will most likely be able to help.
- When I go through the TSA security checkpoint, will I be required to remove my hearing aids? You won’t need to remove your hearing aids for the security screening. Having said that, telling the TSA agents you’re wearing hearing aids is always a good idea. If there is any kind of conveyor belt or X-ray machines, make sure your hearing aids do not go through that belt. Conveyor-belt style X-ray machines can produce a static charge that can damage your hearing devices.
Life is an adventure, and that includes vacations
Vacations are unpredictable with or without hearing loss. At times, the train can go off the rails. So be prepared for the unforeseen and try to have a positive mindset.
That way, when something unexpected takes place (and it will), it’ll feel like it’s all part of the plan!
However, the other side to that is that preparation can go a long way. With the correct preparation, you can be sure you have options when something goes wrong, so an inconvenience doesn’t turn into a disaster.
Getting a hearing examination and making certain you have the correct equipment is commonly the start of that preparation for individuals who have hearing loss. And whether you’re taking vacation number one (sightseeing in the city), or vacation number two (chilling on a tropical beach somewhere), this advice will still hold.
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