There are a couple of types of vacations, right? One type is Packed with activities the whole time. This type will leave you more exhausted than when you left but all of the fun will be recalled for years to come.
The other kind is all about unwinding. You may not even do much of anything on this type of vacation. Perhaps you spend the entire time on the beach with some drinks. Or maybe you’re getting pampered at some resort for your entire vacation. These are the peaceful and relaxing kinds of vacations.
There’s no right or wrong way to vacation. Whatever way you prefer, however, untreated hearing loss can put your vacation at risk.
Your vacation can be spoiled by hearing loss
Your vacation can become a challenge if you have hearing loss, particularly if you don’t know you have it. Look, hearing loss can sneak up on you like nobody’s business, many individuals have no idea they have it. They just keep turning the volume on their tv louder and louder.
The good news is that there are a few proven ways to reduce the impact hearing loss could have on your vacation. Scheduling a hearing test is definitely the first step. The more prepared you are ahead of time, the easier it will be to minimize any power hearing loss might have over your fun, rest, and relaxation.
How can hearing loss effect your vacation
So how can your next vacation be adversely effected by hearing loss? Well, there are a number of ways. And while some of them might seem a bit trivial at first, they have a tendency to add up! Some common illustrations include the following:
- You miss crucial notices: Maybe you’re waiting for your train or plane to board, but you don’t ever hear the announcement. This can throw your entire vacation timing out of whack.
- The vibrant life of a new place can be missed: Your experience can be rather lackluster when everything you hear is muted. After all, your favorite vacation spot is alive with unique sounds, like active street sounds or singing birds.
- Meaningful experiences with friends and relatives can be missed: Everybody enjoyed the great joke that your friend just told, but unfortunately, you didn’t hear the punchline. When you have untreated hearing loss, you can miss important (and enriching) conversations.
- Getting past language barriers can be overwhelming: It’s hard enough to contend with a language barrier. But neglected hearing loss can make it even harder to decipher voices (particularly in a noisy setting).
Some of these negative outcomes can be avoided by simply using your hearing aids. Which means the best way to keep your vacation moving in the right direction and free of stress is to take care of your hearing needs before you go.
How to prepare for your vacation when you have hearing loss
That doesn’t mean that you can’t go on vacation if you have hearing loss. Not by any Means! But with a bit of extra planning and preparation, your vacation can still be fun and relatively stress-free. Of course, that’s pretty common travel advice no matter how strong your hearing is.
Here are some things you can do to ensure hearing loss doesn’t negatively impact your next vacation:
- Do a little pre-planning: It’s okay to be 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 introduce more challenges).
- Pack extra batteries: There’s nothing worse than your hearing aid dying on day 1 because your batteries died. Always make certain 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. You might need to keep your batteries in your carry-on depending on the type of battery.
- Keep your hearing aids clean: It’s a good idea to make certain your hearing aids are clean and working properly before you hop on a plane, train, or automobile. If you have clean hearing aids, you’re much less likely to have troubles on vacation. It’s also a good idea to make certain your recommended maintenance is up to date!
Hearing aid travel tips
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 definitely some good things to understand before you go to the airport.
- If I wear my hearing aids more than usual, is that ok? Hearing aids are meant to be used every day, all day. So you should be using your hearing aids anytime you aren’t in an extremely noisy setting, swimming, or showering.
- Do I need to take out my hearing aids when I go through TSA security? You can keep your hearing aids in when you go through the security screening process. That being said, letting the TSA agents know 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 generate a static charge that can damage your hearing aids.
- How helpful is my smartphone? Your smartphone is extremely useful, not surprisingly. After you land, you can utilize this device to change the settings on your hearing aid (if you have the correct type of hearing aid), find directions to your destination, and even translate foreign languages. You might be able to take some strain off your ears if you’re able to utilize your phone in this way.
- Can I use my hearing aids while I’m on the plane? You won’t need to turn off your hearing aids when you hear that “all electronics must be off” spiel. But it’s a good idea to activate 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 make sure you tell the flight attendant about your hearing loss.
- Should I be aware of my rights? It’s a good idea! Generally, it’s good to become familiar with your rights before you go. If you have hearing loss, you’ll have many rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. But basically, it comes down to this: information has to be available 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 will most likely offer help.
- When I’m in the airport, how well will I be able to hear? That depends, some airports are very 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 who have hearing aids hear their environment better.
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. That’s why it’s important that you have a good attitude and treat your vacation like you’re taking on the unanticipated.
That way, when something unforeseen happens (and it will), it’ll feel like it’s all part of the plan!
But you will be caught off guard less if you put together good preparations. When something goes amiss, with the right preparations, you can keep it from spiraling out of control.
For individuals who have hearing loss, this preparation frequently begins by getting your hearing tested and making sure you have the hardware and care you require. And that’s accurate whether you’re going to every museum in New York City (vacation type number one) or lounging around on a beach in Mexico (vacation type number two).
Want to be certain you can hear the big world out there but still have questions? Call us today!
