Aren’t there a couple of kinds of vacation? One kind is full of activities the whole time. These are the trips that are recalled for years later and are packed with adventure, and you go back to work more tired than you left.
Then there are the relaxing types of vacations. These are the trips where you may not do, well, much of anything. Perhaps you spend the entire time on the beach with some cocktails. Or maybe you’re getting pampered at some resort for your entire vacation. These kinds of vacations will leave you really rested and recharged.
There’s no best to vacation. But untreated hearing loss can put a damper on whichever type of vacation you take.
Hearing loss can spoil a vacation
There are some unique ways that hearing loss can make a vacation more challenging, particularly if you don’t know you have hearing loss. Look, hearing loss can creep up on you like nobody’s business, many individuals have no idea they have it. The volume on all their devices just keeps going higher and higher.
But the impact that hearing loss can have on a vacation can be reduced with some tried and tested methods, and that’s the good news. The first move, of course, will be to make an appointment for a hearing screening if you haven’t already. The more ready you are before you go, the easier it will be to reduce any power hearing loss might have over your fun, rest, and relaxation.
How can your vacation be effected by hearing loss
So how can hearing loss negatively effect your next vacation? Well, there are a number of ways. And while some of them may seem a bit trivial at first, they have a tendency to add up! Some common examples include the following:
- You can miss out on the radiance of a new place: When what you’re hearing is muted, your experience may be muted too. After all, you could miss out on the distinctive bird calls or humming traffic noises that make your vacation spot special and memorable.
- Language barriers become even more challenging: It’s hard enough to deal with a language barrier. But understanding voices with hearing loss, especially when it’s really noisy, makes it much harder.
- You can miss significant moments with friends and family: Maybe your friend just told a great joke that everyone loved, except you couldn’t make out the punchline. Significant and enriching conversations can be missed when you have neglected hearing loss.
- You miss crucial notices: Maybe you’re waiting for your train or plane to board, but you never hear the announcement. This can cast your entire vacation timing into chaos.
Not surprisingly, if you’re wearing your hearing aids, some of these negative impacts can be mitigated and decreased. Which means the proper way to keep your vacation on track and free of stress is to take care of your hearing needs before you start.
How to prepare for your vacation when you have hearing loss
All of this doesn’t mean that hearing loss makes a vacation impossible. Not by any Means! But with a bit of 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 sure that hearing loss won’t have a negative effect on your vacation, here are some things you can do:
- Keep your hearing aids clean: Before you go out on your travels, be certain that you clean your hearing aids. This can help avoid problems from developing while you’re on your vacation. It’s also a good plan to make certain your recommended maintenance is up to date!
- Pre-planning is a good plan: 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 introduce more difficulties).
- Bring extra batteries: There’s nothing worse than your hearing aid dying on day 1 because your batteries went dead. Always make sure you bring spares! So are you allowed to bring spare batteries on a plane? The exact rules and guidelines will depend on the airline. You might need to put your batteries in your carry-on depending on the type of battery.
Tips for traveling with hearing aids
Finally, it’s time to hit the road now that all the preparation and planning have been done! Or maybe it’s the airways. Before you head out to the airport, there are a number of things about flying with hearing aids you should certainly know about.
- When I go through the TSA security checkpoint, will I be required to take out my hearing aids? You can wear your hearing aids through the security screening process. It’s generally a good idea to let the TSA agents know you’re wearing them. 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 type X-ray devices produce.
- Is it ok to wear my hearing aids longer than usual? Hearing aids are meant to be used every day, all day. So, any time you aren’t sleeping, showering, or swimming (or in an extremely loud setting), you should be wearing your devices.
- Should I know my rights? It’s not a bad idea! Generally, it’s good to become familiar with your rights before you travel. If you have hearing loss, you’ll have lots of rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. 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 will most likely offer a solution.
- How helpful is my smartphone? This will not be shocking, but your smartphone is really useful! You can utilize your smartphone to get 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. If your phone is prepared to do all that (and you know how to use all those apps), it may take some strain off your ears.
- Will I be able to hear well in the airport? That depends, some airports are very noisy during certain times of the day. But most modern airports will have a telecoil device installed throughout many areas. This device is specifically made to help individuals with hearing aids hear their surroundings better.
- Is it ok to fly with hearing aids in? 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 plan to activate flight mode if your hearing aid heavily relies on Bluetooth connectivity or wifi. You might also want to let the flight attendants know you have hearing loss, as there could be announcements during the flight that are difficult to hear.
Life is an adventure, and that includes vacations
Vacations are hard to predict with or without hearing loss. Not everything is going to go the way you planned it all the time. That’s why it’s important to have a positive attitude and manage your vacation like you’re taking on the unexpected.
That way you’ll still feel as if your plans are moving in the right direction even when the inevitable obstacle happens.
But you will be surprised less if you put together good preparations. When something goes amiss, with the right preparations, you can keep it from spiraling out of control.
For those with hearing loss, this preparation frequently begins by having your hearing assessed and making certain you have the equipment and care you need. And that’s true whether you’re visiting every museum in New York City (vacation type number one) or taking it easy on a beach in Mexico (vacation type number two).
Still have some questions or concerns? Schedule an appointment with us for a hearing test!