Aren’t there a couple of types of vacation? One kind is Packed with activities at all times. These are the vacations that are remembered for years later and are packed with adventure, and you head back to work more exhausted than you left.
Then there are the relaxing kinds of vacations. These are the trips where you may not do, well, much of anything. Perhaps you drink some wine. Perhaps you spend a day (or two, or three) on the beach. Or maybe you’re getting spoiled at some resort for your entire vacation. These are the restful and relaxing kinds of vacations.
There’s no right or wrong way to vacation. Whichever way you choose, however, neglected hearing loss can put your vacation in jeopardy.
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. Many people who have hearing loss don’t even know they have it and it eventually sneaks up on them. 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. Making an appointment for a hearing exam is obviously the first step. The impact that hearing loss has on your good times will be greatly reduced the more prepared you are ahead of time.
How can your vacation be effected by hearing loss
So how can hearing loss negatively effect your next vacation? There are actually a small number of ways as it turns out. By themselves, they might not seem like that big of a deal. But when they start to add up it can become a real problem. Here are some common examples:
- Important notices come in but you often miss them: Perhaps you miss your flight because you failed to hear the boarding call. This can throw your entire vacation timing into chaos.
- You can miss significant moments with family and friends: Perhaps your friend just told a hilarious joke that everybody loved, except you couldn’t hear the punchline. Significant and enriching conversations can be missed when you have untreated hearing loss.
- Language barriers become even more tricky: It’s difficult enough to overcome a language barrier. But understanding voices with hearing loss, especially when it’s really noisy, makes it much harder.
- The radiant life of a new place can be missed: When what you’re hearing is muted, your experience could be muted too. 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 situations can be prevented by simply using your hearing aids. So, managing your hearing requirements is the best way to keep your vacation on track.
How to prepare for your vacation when you’re dealing with hearing loss
That doesn’t mean that you can’t go on a trip if you have hearing loss. Not by any Means! But it does mean that, when you have hearing loss, a little bit of added planning and preparation, can help make sure your vacation goes as easily as possible. Of course, that’s rather common travel advice regardless of how strong your hearing is.
You can be sure that hearing loss won’t have a negative impact on your vacation, here are some things you can do:
- Do a little pre-planning: When you have to figure things out on the fly, that’s when hearing loss can introduce some challenges, so don’t be too spontaneous and plan as much as possible.
- Pack extra batteries: There’s nothing worse than your hearing aid dying the first day because your batteries went dead. Always make sure you bring spares! Now, you may be thinking: can I have spare batteries in my luggage? Well, possibly, consult your airline. You might be required to put your batteries in your carry-on depending on the type of battery.
- Clean your hearing aids: It’s a smart idea to make sure your hearing aids are clean and functioning correctly before you get on a plane, train, or automobile. This can help prevent issues from developing while you’re on your vacation. Keeping your hearing aids on their regular maintenance is also a smart plan.
Tips for traveling with hearing aids
Once all the planning and preparation is done, it’s time to hit the road! 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.
- If I use my hearing aids more than usual, is that ok? Hearing aids are meant to be used every day, all day. So, any time you aren’t sleeping, taking a shower, or going for a swim (or in an extremely noisy setting), you should be wearing your devices.
- When I’m in the airport, how well will I be able to hear? How well you can hear in an 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 specially made to help people with hearing aids hear their environment better.
- Can I wear my hearing aids on the plane? When they tell you it’s time to off your electronic devices, you won’t need to turn your hearing aids off. But it’s a good idea 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 could be announcements throughout the flight that are hard to hear.
- Will my smartphone be helpful? This will not be shocking, but your smartphone is very helpful! After you land, you can utilize this device to adjust the settings on your hearing aid (if you have the right 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 stress off your ears.
- Should I know my rights? Before you leave it’s never a bad plan to become familiar with your rights. Under the American Disabilities Act, people with hearing loss have lots of special rights. Basically, you must 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.
- When I go through the TSA security checkpoint, will I need to remove my hearing aids? You can keep your hearing aids in when you go through the security screening process. It’s generally a good idea to let the TSA agents know you’re wearing them. Never allow your hearing aids to 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.
Vacations are one of life’s many adventures
Vacations are unpredictable with or without hearing loss. Not everything is going to go right all the time. That’s why it’s important to have a good attitude and treat your vacation like you’re taking on the unexpected.
That way, when something unexpected occurs (and it will), it’ll feel like it’s all part of the plan!
But you will be surprised less if you put together good preparations. When something goes awry, with the correct preparations, you can keep it from spiraling out of control.
Getting a hearing examination and making sure you have the right equipment is commonly the beginning of that preparation for individuals who have hearing loss. And that’s accurate whether you’re going to every museum in New York City (vacation type number one) or taking it easy on a beach in Mexico (vacation type number two).
Want to make sure you can hear the big world out there but still have questions? Schedule an appointment with us for a hearing exam!