There are a couple of types of vacations, right? One type is Packed with activities at all times. These are the vacations that are remembered for years later and are full of 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. Maybe you drink a bit of wine. Perhaps you spend a day (or two, or three) at the beach. Or maybe you spend your entire vacation at some sort of resort, getting spoiled the entire time. These are the restful and relaxing types of vacations.
There’s no right or wrong way to vacation. Whatever method you prefer, however, untreated hearing loss can put your vacation in jeopardy.
Your vacation can be spoiled by hearing loss
There are some unique ways that hearing loss can make a vacation more challenging, particularly if you don’t recognize you have hearing loss. Look, hearing loss can sneak up on you like nobody’s business, many people have no idea they have it. They just keep turning the volume on their tv up and up and up.
But the effect that hearing loss can have on a vacation can be lessened with some proven strategies, and that’s the good news. Scheduling a hearing exam is definitely the first step. The impact that hearing loss has on your good times will be greatly reduced the more prepared you are before you go.
How can your vacation be effected by hearing loss
So how can your next vacation be negatively effected by hearing loss? Well, there are a number of ways. Individually, they may not seem like that big of a deal. But when they begin to add up it can become a real problem. Here are some common instances:
- Meaningful moments with friends and family can be missed: Maybe your friend just told a great 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.
- You miss significant notices: Maybe 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 cast into absolute disarray.
- Getting beyond language barriers can be frustrating: Dealing with a language barrier is already hard enough. But neglected hearing loss can make it even harder to decipher voices (especially in a noisy setting).
- You can miss out on the radiance of a new place: When what you’re hearing is muted, your experience may be muted also. After all, your favorite vacation place is alive with unique sounds, like bustling street sounds or singing birds.
Some of these negative outcomes can be avoided by simply using your hearing aids. Which means the best way to keep your vacation on track and stress free is to manage your hearing needs before you start.
If you have hearing loss, how can you get ready for your vacation?
All of this doesn’t mean that hearing loss makes a vacation impossible. That’s not at all the case! But it does mean that, when you’re dealing with hearing loss, a little bit of additional planning and preparation, can help make sure your vacation goes as easily as possible. Whether you have hearing loss or not, this is clearly good travel advice.
You can be certain that hearing loss won’t have a negative effect on your vacation, here are a few things you can do:
- Do some pre-planning: It’s okay to be spontaneous to a degree, but the more planning you do before you go, the less you’ll need to figure things out on the fly (and that’s when hearing loss can present more obstacles).
- 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. Some types of batteries must be kept in your carry-on.
- Keep your hearing aids clean: Before you leave on your travels, make sure you clean your hearing aids. This can help prevent issues from developing while you’re on your vacation. Keeping your hearing aids on their scheduled maintenance is also a good plan.
Tips for traveling with hearing aids
Once all the planning and preparation is done, it’s time to hit the road! Or maybe it’s the airways. Many people have questions about going on a plane with hearing aids, and there are certainly some good things to know before you go to the airport.
- When I’m in the airport, how well will I be able to hear? How well you can hear in an airport will depend on which airport it is and what time of day. But a telecoil device will normally be set up in many areas of most modern airports. This is a simple wire device (though 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 noisy and chaotic.
- Can I wear my hearing aids on the plane? 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 activate flight mode if your hearing aid heavily relies on Bluetooth connectivity or wifi. You may also want to tell the flight attendants you have hearing loss, as there may be announcements during the flight that are hard to hear.
- How useful is my smartphone? Your smartphone is really helpful, not shockingly. After you land, you can utilize this device to change the settings on your hearing aid (if you have the right kind of hearing aid), get directions to your destination, and even translate foreign languages. You might be able to take some strain off your ears if you can utilize your phone in this way.
- Is it ok to use my hearing aids longer than usual? Most hearing specialists will suggest that you use your hearing aids all day, every day. So, any time you aren’t sleeping, showering, or swimming (or in a super noisy setting), you should be wearing your devices.
- When I go through the TSA security checkpoint, will I be required to remove my hearing aids? You won’t need to take your hearing aids out for the security screening. Having said that, letting the TSA agents know you’re wearing hearing aids is always a good idea. Never allow your hearing aids to go through an X-ray machine or conveyor belt. Your hearing aids can be damaged by the static charge that these conveyor style X-ray devices produce.
- Do I have some rights I should be aware of? Before you leave it’s never a bad idea 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 must have access to information. Talk to an airport official about a solution if you think you’re missing some information and they should be able to help.
Life is an adventure, and that includes vacations
Vacations are hard to predict with or without hearing loss. Not everything is going to go the way you planned it all the time. That’s why it’s important that you have a good mindset and manage your vacation like you’re taking on the unanticipated.
That way, when something unforeseen happens (and it will), it’ll seem like it’s all part of the plan!
But you will be surprised less if you make good preparations. When something goes amiss, with the right preparations, you can keep it from getting out of control.
For people who have hearing loss, this preparation often begins by having your hearing tested and making certain you have the equipment and care you require. And that’s accurate whether you’re visiting every museum in New York City (vacation type number one) or lounging around on a beach in Mexico (vacation type number two).
Still have some questions or concerns? Give us a call today!