There are a couple of types of vacations, right? There’s the type where you jam every single recreation you can into every waking minute. This kind 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 types of vacations. You may not even do much of anything on this kind of vacation. Maybe you spend a lot of time on the beach with some cocktails. Or maybe you spend your entire vacation at some sort of resort, getting pampered the whole time. These types of vacations will leave you quite rested and recharged.
There’s no right or wrong way to vacation. Whatever method you choose, however, untreated hearing loss can put your vacation at risk.
Hearing loss can ruin a vacation
Your vacation can become a difficulty if you have hearing loss, especially if you don’t know you have it. Look, hearing loss can sneak up on you like nobody’s business, many individuals have no clue they have it. They just keep cranking 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 methods, and that’s the good news. The first step, of course, will be to schedule a hearing screening if you haven’t already. The impact that hearing loss has on your good times will be greatly diminished the more prepared you are ahead of time.
How can your vacation be impacted by hearing loss
So how can your next vacation be adversely 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 illustrations include the following:
- Getting beyond language barriers can be frustrating: It’s hard enough to deal with a language barrier. But untreated hearing loss can make it even harder to decipher voices (particularly in a noisy setting).
- You miss important notices: Maybe you miss your flight because you didn’t hear the boarding call. And as a consequence, your whole vacation schedule is cast into absolute disarray.
- You can miss out on the vibrancy of a new place: Your experience can be rather dull when everything you hear is muted. After all, you could fail to hear the unique bird calls or humming traffic noises that make your vacation spot unique and memorable.
- You can miss significant moments with friends and family: Maybe your friend just told a great joke that everyone loved, except you couldn’t hear the punchline. Important and enriching conversations can be missed when you have neglected hearing loss.
Some of these negative outcomes can be avoided by simply using your hearing aids. So, managing your hearing requirements is the ideal way to keep your vacation moving in the right direction.
If you have hearing loss, how can you prepare for your vacation?
All of this doesn’t mean that hearing loss makes a vacation impossible. Not by any Means! But it does mean that, when you’re dealing with hearing loss, a little bit of added planning and preparation, can help ensure your vacation goes as smoothly as possible. Whether you have hearing loss or not, this is obviously good travel advice.
You can be sure that hearing loss won’t have a negative impact on your vacation, here are some 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 have to figure things out on the fly (and that’s when hearing loss can introduce more challenges).
- Pack extra batteries: Having your hearing aids die on the first day is the worst! Don’t forget to bring some spare batteries. Now, you may be thinking: can I bring spare batteries in my luggage? The exact rules and guidelines will depend on which airline you’re using. Some kinds of batteries need to be stored in your carry-on.
- Clean your hearing aids: It’s a good idea to make sure your hearing aids are clean and functioning correctly before you jump on a plane, train, or automobile. If you have clean hearing aids, you’re not so likely to have difficulties on vacation. Keeping your hearing aids on their regular maintenance is also a good plan.
Tips for traveling with hearing aids
Finally, it’s time to hit the road now that all the preparation and planning have been done! Or, well, the airways, possibly. Many people have questions about going on a plane with hearing aids, and there are certainly some good things to understand before you head to the airport.
- Will I be able to hear well in the airport? That depends, some airports are quite noisy during certain times of the day. But a telecoil device will normally be installed in many areas of most modern airports. This is a basic 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.
- Should I know my rights? Before you travel it’s not a bad idea to get familiar with your rights. Under the American Disabilities Act, people with hearing loss have many special rights. Basically, you have to have access to information. 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 a solution.
- Is it ok to take a flight with hearing aids in? When they tell you it’s time to turn off your electronic devices, you won’t need to turn your hearing aids off. But it’s a good plan to activate flight mode if your hearing aid relies heavily on Bluetooth connectivity or wifi. You might also want to let the flight attendants know you have hearing loss, as there may be announcements throughout the flight that are hard to hear.
- Will my smartphone be helpful? Your smartphone is really helpful, not surprisingly. After you land, you can use this device to change the settings on your hearing aid (if you have the correct kind of hearing aid), find directions to your destination, and even translate foreign languages. If your phone is capable of doing all that (and you know how to use all those apps), it may take some strain off your ears.
- Is it ok to wear my hearing aids longer than usual? 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 aren’t in an extremely noisy setting, swimming, or showering.
- When I go through the TSA security checkpoint, will I be required to take out my hearing aids? You won’t be required to remove your hearing aids for the security screening. It’s usually a good plan to tell the TSA agents that you’re wearing them. If there is any type of conveyor belt or X-ray machines, make sure your hearing aids don’t go through that belt. Conveyor-belt style X-ray machines can generate a static charge that can damage your hearing aids.
Life is an adventure, and that includes vacations
Whether you have hearing loss or not, vacations are unpredictable. At times, the train can go off the rails. So be prepared for the unforeseen and try to have a good mindset.
That way, when something unforeseen takes place (and it will), it’ll seem like it’s all part of the plan!
Of course, the other side to that is that preparation can go a long way. When something goes amiss, with the correct preparations, you can keep it from going out of control.
For those who have hearing loss, this preparation often starts by having your hearing assessed and making sure you have the equipment and care you require. And whether you’re on vacation number one (sightseeing in the city), or vacation number two (chilling on a tropical beach somewhere), this advice will still hold.
Want to make sure you can hear the big world out there but still have questions? Give us a call today!
