If you have hearing loss, whether you use hearing aids or not, you know how hard it is to hear in noisy situations. The holidays are filled with special moments, but they can prove to be a challenge for people with hearing loss. Here are some tips to holiday travel with hearing loss:
Get a Hearing Aid “Tune-up.” Schedule an appointment with your audiologist for a cleaning and thorough check of your hearing aids so they will be in perfect working condition while you’re away. Make sure to have plenty of batteries, tubes, filters, a dehumidifier and cleaning tools for your hearing aids on hand.
Plan ahead. If you have hearing loss and plan to fly during the holidays, there are several things you can do to be prepared during the busy holiday season.
- Make Travel Arrangements in Advance. Once transportation arrangements have been made, request written confirmation to ensure that information is correct. Print copies of confirmations numbers, itineraries and maps and keep them in an easily accessible place.
- Arrive Early. Position yourself close to the gate so you can hear announcements better. Tell the agent at the boarding gate that you are hearing-impaired and may need to be notified in person when it’s time to board.
- Text Messaging. Many airports have systems in place where you receive a text message if your flight has changed. This way, you won’t have to worry about missing an announcement over a public address system.
- Keep Hearing Aids in at Security. It is safe and fine, according to the TSA, to keep hearing aids in your ears during a security screening. If you’re not comfortable walking through a metal detector or imaging machine with them in, you can always opt for a pat down.
- Ask for Help. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from fellow travelers – most are more than willing to assist you.
See also: Enjoying the Holiday Season with Hearing Loss
Kendall P. Varney is a licensed clinical audiologist with more than 25 years of experience. If you have questions about hearing loss, please call 904-259-2046 or e-mail Kendall directly at kendall@coastalhearingandbalance.com.