There are a couple of types of vacations, right? One kind is full of activities at all times. These are the trips that are remembered for years later and are packed with adventure, and you head back to work more worn out than you left.
The other kind is all about relaxing. These are the trips where you might not do, well, much of anything. Maybe you spend the entire time on the beach with some cocktails. Or maybe you’re getting spoiled at some resort for your whole vacation. These kinds of vacations will leave you quite rested and recharged.
There’s no right or wrong way to vacation. Whatever way you choose, however, untreated hearing loss can put your vacation at risk.
Hearing loss can ruin a vacation
There are some unique ways that hearing loss can make a vacation more challenging, especially if you don’t know you have hearing loss. Many people who have hearing loss don’t even know they have it and it eventually sneaks up on them. On all their devices, the volume just keeps going higher and higher.
But the effect that hearing loss can have on a vacation can be lessened with some proven strategies, and that’s the good news. The first move, of course, will be to schedule a hearing screening if you haven’t already. The more ready you are ahead of time, the easier it will be to lessen any power hearing loss could have over your fun, rest, and relaxation.
How can your vacation be impacted by hearing loss
So how can your next vacation be negatively effected by hearing loss? There are actually a few ways as it turns out. By themselves, they might not seem like that big of a deal. But when they begin to add up it can become a real problem. Here are a few common examples:
- You miss important notices: Maybe you miss your flight because you failed to hear the boarding call. And as a result, your entire vacation schedule is thrown into absolute chaos.
- Meaningful experiences with friends and family can be missed: Everyone loved the funny joke that your friend just told, but unfortunately, you didn’t hear the punchline. Important and enriching conversations can be missed when you have neglected hearing loss.
- The vibrant life of a new place can be missed: Your experience can be rather dull when everything you hear is muted. After all, your favorite vacation spot is alive with unique sounds, like bustling street sounds or singing birds.
- Language barriers become even more tricky: Managing a language barrier is already hard enough. But deciphering voices with hearing loss, particularly when it’s really noisy, makes it much more difficult.
Not surprisingly, if you’re wearing your hearing aids, some of these negative effects can be lessened and decreased. So, managing your hearing requirements is the best way to keep your vacation on track.
If you have hearing loss, how can you prepare for your vacation?
That doesn’t mean that you can’t go on vacation if you have hearing loss. 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. Of course, that’s pretty common travel advice no matter how good your hearing is.
Here are some things you can do to make sure hearing loss doesn’t negatively impact your next vacation:
- Pack extra batteries: There’s nothing worse than your hearing aid dying the first day because your batteries quit. Remember to bring some spare batteries. So are you allowed to bring spare batteries on a plane? The exact rules and guidelines will depend on the airline. Some kinds of batteries need to be stored in your carry-on.
- Pre-planning is a smart plan: It’s okay to be spontaneous to some 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 present more difficulties).
- Clean your hearing aids: It’s a smart plan to make certain your hearing aids are clean and functioning properly before you jump on a plane, train, or automobile. If you have clean hearing aids, you’re less 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 planning and preparation have been done! Or, well, the airways, maybe. Many people have questions about flying with hearing aids, and there are certainly some good things to recognize before you go to the airport.
- If I use my hearing aids more than normal, is that ok? Most hearing specialists will suggest that you use your hearing aids all day, every day. So you should be wearing your hearing aids anytime you aren’t in a really noisy place, swimming, or showering.
- When I’m in the airport, how well will I be able to hear? That will depend, some airports are very noisy during certain times of the day. But a telecoil device will normally be installed in many areas of most modern airports. This device is specifically made to help people who have hearing aids hear their surroundings better.
- Should I be aware of my rights? It’s a good idea! In general, it’s smart to become familiar with your rights before you travel. Under the American Disabilities Act, people with hearing loss have lots of special rights. But essentially, it amounts to this: information has to be available to you. 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 a solution.
- How useful is my smartphone? This will not be surprising, but your smartphone is extremely useful! You can use your smartphone to find directions to your destination, translate foreign languages, and if you have the right kind of hearing aid, you can utilize your smartphone to adjust your settings to your new environment. You might be able to take some strain off your ears if you can utilize your phone in this way.
- 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. That being said, telling the TSA agents you’re wearing hearing aids is always a good plan. Don’t ever let your hearing aids go through an X-ray machine or conveyor belt. Conveyor-belt style X-ray machines can create a static charge that can damage your hearing devices.
- Is it ok to take a flight with hearing aids in? You won’t have to turn off your hearing aids when you hear that “all electronics must be off” announcement. But it’s a good plan to activate flight mode if your hearing aid relies heavily on Bluetooth connectivity or wifi. Some of the in-flight announcements could be hard to hear so make sure you let the flight attendants know about your hearing loss.
Vacations are one of life’s many adventures
Whether you have hearing loss or not, vacations are unpredictable. Not everything is going to go the way you planned it all the time. So be prepared for the unexpected and try to have a good mindset.
That way, when something unforeseen happens (and it will), it’ll seem like it’s all part of the plan!
Of course, the flip side to that is that preparation can make a difference. With the right preparation, you can make sure you have options when something goes wrong, so an inconvenience doesn’t turn into a disaster.
Having a hearing examination and making sure you have the correct equipment is commonly the start of that preparation for people with hearing loss. And that’s accurate whether you’re visiting every museum in New York City (vacation type number one) or hanging out on a beach in Mexico (vacation type number two).
Want to be certain you can hear the big world out there but still have questions? Give us a call today!
