There are two kinds of vacations, right? There’s the type where you jam every single recreation you can into every waking second. This type will leave you more tired 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. You might not even do much of anything on this kind of vacation. Perhaps you spend a lot of time on the beach with some drinks. Or maybe you’re getting pampered at some resort for your whole vacation. These kinds of vacations will leave you quite rested and recharged.
Everybody has their own idea of the perfect vacation. Whichever method you prefer, however, untreated hearing loss can put your vacation in jeopardy.
Hearing loss can spoil a vacation
Your vacation can become a challenge if you have hearing loss, especially if you’re not aware of it. Many people who have hearing loss don’t even recognize they have it and it eventually sneaks up on them. The volume on all their devices just continues going higher and higher.
But the effect that hearing loss can have on a vacation can be minimized with some proven methods, and that’s the good news. The first move, of course, will be to make an appointment for a hearing screening if you haven’t already. The more ready you are before you go, the easier it will be to lessen any power hearing loss might have over your fun, rest, and relaxation.
How can your vacation be impacted 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 may seem a bit trivial at first, they tend to add up! Here are a few common instances:
- The vibrant life of a new place can be missed: Your experience can be rather dull when everything you hear is dull. After all, you could fail to hear the distinctive bird calls or humming traffic noises that make your vacation spot unique and memorable.
- Language barriers are even more tricky: Coping with a language barrier is already difficult enough. But understanding voices with hearing loss, especially when it’s really noisy, makes it much more difficult.
- You miss significant notices: Perhaps you’re waiting for your train or plane to board, but you never hear the announcement. And as a result, your entire vacation schedule is thrown into absolute disarray.
- Special moments with friends and relatives can be missed: Everybody loved the great joke that your friend just told, but unfortunately, you missed the punchline. When you have neglected hearing loss, you can miss important (and enriching) conversations.
A number of these negative outcomes can be averted by simply wearing your hearing aids. So, managing your hearing requirements is the best way to keep your vacation moving in the right direction.
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 with a little additional planning and preparation, your vacation can still be fun and relatively hassle-free. Whether or not you have hearing loss, this is clearly 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:
- Pack extra batteries: Having your hearing aids quit on the first day is no fun! Remember to bring some spare batteries. So are you allowed to bring spare batteries on a plane? Well, possibly, check with your airline. Some kinds of batteries need to be stored in your carry-on.
- Clean your hearing aids: Before you head out on your travels, be certain that you clean your hearing aids. This can help prevent problems from developing while you’re on your vacation. It’s also a good plan to make certain your suggested maintenance is current!
- Pre-planning is a good plan: It’s okay to be spontaneous to some degree, but the more planning you do beforehand, the less you’ll need to figure things out on the fly (and that’s when hearing loss can introduce more difficulties).
Hearing aid travel tips
Finally, it’s time to hit the road now that all the planning and preparation have been done! Or maybe it’s the airways. Many individuals have questions about flying with hearing aids, and there are definitely some good things to recognize before you go to the airport.
- Is it ok to use my hearing aids longer than normal? Most hearing specialists will suggest that you use your hearing aids all day, every day. So, any time you aren’t sleeping, taking a shower, or swimming (or in an extremely loud setting), you should be wearing your devices.
- Can I wear my hearing aids on the plane? You won’t need to turn your hearing aids off when you get that “all electronics must be off” spiel. Having said that, you might want to enable flight mode on hearing aids that rely heavily on wifi or Bluetooth connectivity. Some of the in-flight announcements may be difficult to hear so be certain that you tell the flight attendant about your hearing loss.
- Will I be able to hear well in the airport? That depends, some airports are really noisy during certain times of the day. But a telecoil device will normally be set up in many areas of most modern airports. This device is specially made to help people with hearing aids hear their environment better.
- 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 travel. Under the American Disabilities Act, individuals with hearing loss have many special rights. But essentially, it amounts to this: information must be accessible to you. So if you think you’re missing out on some information, let an airport official know that you have hearing loss and they should offer help.
- When I go through the TSA security checkpoint, will I need to remove my hearing aids? You won’t be required to remove your hearing aids for the security screening. Having said that, letting the TSA agents know you’re wearing hearing aids is always a good idea. If there is any type of conveyor belt or X-ray machines, be certain that your hearing aids do not go through that belt. Your hearing aids can be damaged by the static charge that these conveyor type X-ray devices generate.
- Will my smartphone be useful? Your smartphone is very helpful, not shockingly. You can use your smartphone to get directions to your destination, translate foreign languages, and if you have the right kind 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 can utilize your phone in this way.
Life is an adventure, and that includes vacations
Whether you have hearing loss or not, vacations are unpredictable. Not everything is going to go the way you planned it all the time. So be prepared for the unexpected and try to have a good attitude.
That way, when something unforeseen happens (and it will), it’ll feel like it’s all part of the plan!
Of course, the flip 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 awry, so an inconvenience doesn’t grow into a disaster.
Having a hearing examination and making certain you have the right equipment is commonly the beginning of that preparation for individuals with hearing loss. And whether you’re on vacation number one (sightseeing in the city), or vacation number two (relaxing on a tropical beach somewhere), this guidance will still hold.
Want to be certain you can hear the big world out there but still have questions? Make an appointment with us for a hearing exam!