There are two kinds of vacations, right? One kind is Packed with activities the whole time. This type will leave you more tired than when you left but all of the fun will be recalled for many years to come.
Then there are the relaxing kinds of vacations. You might not even do much of anything on this kind of vacation. Perhaps you drink a bit of wine. Perhaps you spend a day (or two, or three) at the beach. Or possibly you spend your whole vacation at some kind of resort, getting spoiled the entire time. These are the peaceful and relaxing kinds of vacations.
There’s no best to vacation. But untreated hearing loss can put a damper on whichever type of vacation you choose.
Hearing loss can ruin a vacation
There are a few unique ways that hearing loss can make a vacation more challenging, especially if you don’t recognize you have hearing loss. Look, hearing loss can creep up on you like nobody’s business, many people have no clue they have it. On all their devices, the volume just keeps going higher and higher.
The nice thing is that there are a few proven ways to reduce the impact hearing loss could have on your vacation. The first move, of course, will be to schedule a hearing screening if you haven’t already. The effect that hearing loss has on your good times will be greatly diminished the more prepared you are in advance.
How can your vacation be impacted by hearing loss
So how can your next vacation be negatively impacted by hearing loss? There are actually a small number of ways as it turns out. Individually, they may not seem like that big of a deal. But when they start to add up it can become a real issue. Some common examples include the following:
- You can miss out on the vibrancy of a new place: When what you’re hearing is muted, your experience may be muted also. After all, your favorite vacation spot is alive with unique sounds, like active street sounds or singing birds.
- Special experiences with friends and relatives can be missed: Everybody loved the funny joke that your friend just told, but unfortunately, you missed the punchline. Important and enriching conversations can be missed when you have neglected hearing loss.
- Language barriers are even more tricky: Dealing with a language barrier is already hard enough. But understanding voices with hearing loss, particularly when it’s really noisy, makes it much more difficult.
- You miss significant notices: Perhaps you’re waiting for your train or plane to board, but you don’t ever hear the announcement. And as a consequence, your entire vacation schedule is thrown into absolute disarray.
Some of these negative situations can be prevented by simply using your hearing aids. Which means the proper way to keep your vacation on track and stress free is to manage your hearing needs before you go.
How to get ready for your vacation when you have hearing loss
That doesn’t mean that you can’t go on a trip if you have hearing loss. Not by any Means! But with a little extra planning and preparation, your vacation can still be fun and fairly hassle-free. Of course, that’s pretty common travel advice regardless of how strong your hearing is.
You can be certain that hearing loss won’t have a negative impact on your vacation, here are some things you can do:
- Keep your hearing aids clean: It’s a good plan to make certain your hearing aids are clean and working correctly before you hop on a plane, train, or automobile. This can help avoid problems from happening while you’re on your vacation. It’s also a good plan to make certain your suggested maintenance is up to date!
- Pre-planning is a smart idea: It’s okay to remain spontaneous to a 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).
- Pack extra batteries: Having your hearing aids die on the first day is the worst! Always make sure you bring spares! Now, you may be thinking: can I have spare batteries in my luggage? The precise rules and guidelines will depend on which airline you’re using. Some kinds of batteries must be stored in your carry-on.
Tips for traveling with hearing aids
Once all the planning and preparation is done, it’s time to hit the road! Or, well, the airways, possibly. Many individuals have questions about flying with hearing aids, and there are certainly some good things to recognize before you head to the airport.
- Is it ok to use my hearing aids longer than usual? Most hearing specialists will recommend that you use your hearing aids all day, every day. So you should be wearing your hearing aids anytime you aren’t in an extremely noisy setting, swimming, or showering.
- Should I be aware of my rights? It’s a good idea! Generally, it’s good to become familiar with your rights before you go. Under the American Disabilities Act, people with hearing loss have many special rights. Basically, you must have access to information. So if you feel like you’re missing out on some info, let an airport official know that you have hearing loss and they should offer a solution.
- Will I be able to hear well in an airport? That will depend, some airports are quite noisy during certain times of the day. But most modern airports will have a telecoil device fitted throughout many areas. This is a simple 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 noisy and chaotic.
- 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. Having said that, telling the TSA agents you’re wearing hearing aids is always a good plan. If there is any kind 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 create a static charge that can damage your hearing aids.
- Is it ok to fly with hearing aids in? You won’t have to turn off your hearing aids when you hear that “all electronics must be off” announcement. Having said that, you might want to activate flight mode on hearing aids that rely heavily on wifi or Bluetooth connectivity. Some of the in-flight announcements could be difficult to hear so be certain that you let the flight attendants know about your hearing loss.
- Will my smartphone be useful? Your smartphone is very helpful, not shockingly. After you land, you can utilize this device to adjust the settings on your hearing aid (if you have the correct type of hearing aid), find directions to your destination, and even translate foreign languages. You may be able to take some stress off your ears if you’re able to utilize your phone like this.
Life is an adventure, and that includes vacations
Vacations are unpredictable with or without hearing loss. Not everything is going to go right all the time. So be prepared for the unforeseen and try to have a positive mindset.
That way you’ll still feel like your plans are moving in the right direction even when the unavoidable obstacle occurs.
But you will be surprised less if you make good preparations. When something goes wrong, with the right preparations, you can keep it from spiraling out of control.
Getting a hearing examination and making sure you have the correct equipment is commonly the start of that preparation for people who have hearing loss. And whether you’re taking vacation number one (sightseeing in the city), or vacation number two (chilling on a tropical beach somewhere), this advice will still hold.
Want to be certain you can hear the big world out there but still have concerns? Give us a call today!