There are a couple of kinds of vacations, right? One kind is full of activities the whole time. This kind will leave you more tired than when you left but all of the adventures will be remembered for years to come.
Then there are the relaxing kinds of vacations. These are the trips where you may not do, well, much of anything. Maybe you drink a bit of wine. Maybe you spend a day (or two, or three) at the beach. Or maybe you’re getting spoiled at some resort for your whole vacation. These are the peaceful and relaxing kinds of vacations.
Everyone has their own idea of the perfect vacation. But neglected hearing loss can put a damper on whichever kind of vacation you choose.
Hearing loss can ruin a vacation
There are a few unique ways that hearing loss can make a vacation more challenging, especially if you don’t recognize you have hearing loss. Look, hearing loss can sneak up on you like nobody’s business, many individuals have no clue they have it. The volume on all their devices just keeps going higher and higher.
But the impact that hearing loss can have on a vacation can be lessened with some tried and tested strategies, and that’s the good news. Making an appointment for a hearing exam is obviously the first step. The more prepared you are before you go, the easier it will be to lessen any power hearing loss could have over your fun, rest, and relaxation.
How can hearing loss impact your vacation
So how can your next vacation be adversely impacted by hearing loss? Well, there are a couple of ways. Individually, they may not seem like that big of a deal. But when they start to add up it can become a real problem. Some common illustrations include the following:
- Getting beyond language barriers can be frustrating: Coping with a language barrier is already hard enough. But untreated hearing loss can make it even harder to decipher voices (particularly in a noisy situation).
- Essential notices come in but you frequently miss them: Perhaps you’re waiting for your train or aircraft to board, but you never hear the announcement. This can throw your entire vacation timing out of whack.
- You can miss significant moments with family and friends: Perhaps your friend just told a hilarious joke that everybody enjoyed, except you couldn’t make out the punchline. Significant and enriching conversations can be missed when you have untreated hearing loss.
- The radiant life of a new place can be missed: When what you’re hearing is muted, your experience may be muted too. 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 prevented by simply wearing your hearing aids. So, managing your hearing needs is the best way to keep your vacation moving in the right direction.
How to prepare for your vacation when you’re dealing with hearing loss
All of this isn’t to say that hearing loss makes a vacation unachievable. That’s not at all true! 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 rather common travel advice no matter how good your hearing is.
Here are a few things you can do to ensure hearing loss doesn’t negatively effect your next vacation:
- Keep your hearing aids clean: It’s a smart plan to make certain your hearing aids are clean and working properly before you hop on a plane, train, or automobile. This can help avoid problems from developing while you’re on your vacation. It’s also a good idea to make certain your recommended maintenance is up to date!
- Pre-planning is a smart idea: When you have to figure things out as you go, that’s when hearing loss can present some challenges, so don’t be too spontaneous and prepare as much as possible.
- Pack extra batteries: Having your hearing aids quit on the first day is no fun! Always make certain you bring spares! Now, you may be thinking: can I have spare batteries in my luggage? The exact rules and guidelines will depend on the airline. Some types of batteries must be stored in your carry-on.
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 maybe it’s the airways. Before you head out to the airport, there are a few things about flying with hearing aids you should certainly be aware of.
- Will I be able to hear well in an airport? That will depend, some airports are quite noisy during certain times of the 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 loud and chaotic.
- Can I use my hearing aids on the plane? When they tell you it’s time to turn off your electronic devices, you won’t need to turn your hearing aids off. Having said that, you may want to activate flight mode on hearing aids that rely heavily on wifi or Bluetooth connectivity. Some of the in-flight announcements could be hard to hear so be certain that you let the flight attendants know about your hearing loss.
- Will my smartphone be useful? This will not be surprising, 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 type of hearing aid), get 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 strain off your ears.
- 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. Having said that, letting the TSA agents know you’re wearing hearing aids is always a good plan. If there is any type of conveyor belt or X-ray machines, make sure 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.
- If I use my hearing aids more than usual, is that ok? Most hearing specialists will suggest that you wear your hearing aids all day, every day. So you should be wearing your hearing aids whenever you’re not in an extremely noisy setting, swimming, or showering.
- Should I know my rights? Before you travel it’s never a bad plan to get familiar with your rights. If you have hearing loss, you’ll have lots of rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Basically, you have to have access to information. So if you feel like you’re missing out on some info, let an airport official know that you have hearing loss and they will most likely offer help.
Vacations are one of life’s many adventures
Vacations are unpredictable with or without hearing loss. Sometimes, the train can go off the rails. That’s why it’s essential to have a good mindset and manage your vacation like you’re taking on the unanticipated.
That way, when something unexpected happens (and it will), it’ll feel like it’s all part of the plan!
However, the flip side to that is that preparation can make a difference. With the correct preparation, you can be sure you have options when something goes awry, so an inconvenience doesn’t turn into a disaster.
For individuals who have hearing loss, this preparation often begins by having your hearing assessed and making certain you have the equipment 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 make sure you can hear the big world out there but still have concerns? Schedule an appointment with us for a hearing exam!