Aren’t there a couple of kinds of vacation? There’s the type where you jam every single recreation you can into every single minute. These are the vacations that are remembered for years later and are packed with adventure, and you head back to work more worn out than you left.
Then there are the relaxing types of vacations. These are the trips where you might not do, well, much of anything. Maybe you drink some wine. Perhaps you spend a day (or two, or three) at the beach. Or perhaps you’re getting spoiled at some resort for your entire vacation. These are the peaceful and relaxing types of vacations.
Everyone has their own concept of the perfect vacation. Whichever way you choose, however, neglected hearing loss can put your vacation in jeopardy.
Hearing loss can ruin a vacation
There are a few distinct ways that hearing loss can make a vacation more difficult, particularly if you don’t know you have hearing loss. Look, hearing loss can sneak up on you like nobody’s business, many individuals have no clue they have it. On all their devices, the volume 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 methods, and that’s the good news. Scheduling a hearing exam is obviously the first step. The effect that hearing loss has on your fun times will be greatly diminished the more ready you are before you go.
How can hearing loss effect your vacation
So how can your next vacation be adversely impacted by hearing loss? Well, there are a number of ways. And while some of them might seem a bit trivial at first, they tend to add up! Some common illustrations include the following:
- You miss significant notices: Perhaps you’re waiting for your train or aircraft to board, but you never hear the announcement. This can throw your entire vacation timing into chaos.
- Meaningful experiences with friends and family can be missed: Maybe your friend just told a great joke that everyone enjoyed, except you couldn’t make out the punchline. Important and enriching conversations can be missed when you have neglected hearing loss.
- Language barriers become even more challenging: Coping with a language barrier is already difficult enough. But untreated hearing loss can make it even more difficult to decipher voices (particularly in a noisy setting).
- The radiant life of a new place can be missed: Your experience can be rather dull when everything you hear is muted. After all, you could miss out on the distinctive bird calls or humming traffic noises that make your vacation spot unique and memorable.
Some of these negative outcomes can be avoided by simply wearing your hearing aids. So, taking care of your hearing needs is the ideal way to keep your vacation on track.
How to get ready for your vacation when you’re dealing with hearing loss
All of this doesn’t mean that hearing loss makes a vacation unachievable. That’s nowhere near the case! But it does mean that, when you’re dealing with hearing loss, a little bit of extra planning and preparation, can help ensure your vacation goes as easily as possible. Whether or not you have hearing loss, this is definitely good travel advice.
Here are some things you can do to make sure hearing loss doesn’t negatively impact your next vacation:
- Bring extra batteries: Having your hearing aids die on the first day is the worst! Remember to bring some spare batteries. Now, you might be thinking: can I have spare batteries in my luggage? The precise rules and guidelines will depend on the airline. Some kinds of batteries need to be kept in your carry-on.
- Do a little pre-planning: It’s okay to be spontaneous to some degree, but the more planning you do beforehand, the less you’ll need to figure things out on the fly (and that’s when hearing loss can present more obstacles).
- Clean your hearing aids: Before you go out on your travels, be certain that you clean your hearing aids. If you have clean hearing aids, you’re not so likely to have difficulties on vacation. It’s also a good idea to make sure your recommended maintenance is current!
Hearing aid travel tips
Finally, it’s time to hit the road now that all the planning and preparation have been done! Or, well, the airways, maybe. Many people have questions about flying with hearing aids, and there are definitely some good things to know before you go to the airport.
- Should I know my rights? It’s a good idea! Generally, it’s smart to familiarize yourself with your rights before you go. 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 help.
- Will my smartphone be useful? Your smartphone is really useful, not surprisingly. You can utilize your smartphone to get directions to your destination, translate foreign languages, and if you have the correct type of hearing aid, you can use your smartphone to adjust your settings to your new environment. You may be able to take some stress off your ears if you’re able to utilize your phone in this way.
- Is it ok to fly with hearing aids in? When they tell you it’s time to turn off your electronic devices, you won’t be required to turn your hearing aids off. But it’s a good plan to enable flight mode if your hearing aid heavily relies on Bluetooth connectivity or wifi. You might also want to tell the flight attendants you have hearing loss, as there could be announcements during the flight that are difficult to hear.
- When I’m in the airport, how well will I be able to hear? How well you can hear in the airport will depend on what airport it is and what time of day. But most modern airports will have a telecoil device fitted throughout many areas. This device is specifically made to help individuals with hearing aids hear their surroundings better.
- If I use my hearing aids more than usual, is that ok? Most hearing specialists will suggest that you use your hearing aids all day, every day. So, any time you aren’t in bed, taking a shower, or going for a swim (or in an extremely noisy environment), you should be wearing your devices.
- When I go through the TSA security checkpoint, will I need to remove my hearing aids? You won’t be required to take your hearing aids out for the security screening. That being said, telling the TSA agents you’re wearing hearing aids is always a good plan. If there is any type of conveyor belt or X-ray machines, be certain that your hearing aids do not go through that belt. Your hearing aids can be damaged by the static charge that these conveyor style X-ray devices generate.
Life is an adventure, and that includes vacations
Vacations are hard to predict with or without hearing loss. Sometimes, the train can go off the rails. That’s why it’s essential that you have a positive mindset and treat your vacation like you’re taking on the unexpected.
That way you’ll still feel as if your plans are on track even when the inevitable obstacle happens.
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 spiraling out of control.
Getting a hearing examination and making sure you have the correct equipment is usually the beginning of that preparation for individuals who have hearing loss. And whether you’re on vacation number one (sightseeing in the city), or vacation number two (relaxing 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? Call us today!