Traveling is on the rise now that things have opened back up after covid-19. For some of you, it will be your first time traveling since receiving hearing aids, for others it is a welcomed return.
No matter how often you’ve traveled with or without hearing aids, it’s always useful to have a checklist to remember all the things you don’t want to forget!
DON’T FORGET
- Pack extra batteries. Bring at least two sets of batteries. Traveling can tax your hearing aids in ways you do not always anticipate. It may not be as easy as at home to find the right batteries for your aid. It can also be inconvenient to have to track down batteries in the middle of a vacation or a work trip.
- Pack chargers and cables. The same with batteries, chargers, and cables may not be easy or convenient to replace. Most times you don’t realize it’s missing until you need it. So remember to pack a spare or backup if you can.
- Pack cleaning kits. It’s not always easy and convenient to keep up a maintenance routine while traveling. However, it’s important to stay as close to it as possible. It is also good to have the supplies in case of unexpected wear.
- Pack a dryer or dehumidifying tool in case your hearing aids get moist. This is especially helpful if you find yourself in humid locations. Exposure to water and sweat can prematurely damage your hearing aids.
- Pack any extra domes and wax guards that you may need. All the batteries and charging cables in the world wouldn’t do you any good if certain components of your hearing aids are compromised. If your dome gets bent or your wax guards clog you’ll want to have everything you need to replace them right away.
- Pack Bluetooth accessories. If there are any accessories you find useful in your day-to-day life you may also find them useful while traveling. Even if you don’t think you’ll use it, they can be handy to have just in case.
WHILE FLYING
- Wear hearing aids at all times while getting through the airport. There is a constant barrage of sound at airports and planes. It may seem like it would be easier to turn off your hearing aids or take them out but it’s better not to. You have a higher risk of losing or misplacing your hearing aids if you take them out. Furthermore, you want to make sure to be able to hear any important announcements, warnings, or updates.
- Keep hearing aid tools and accessories in your carry-on bag. You never know when you might have to make a quick adjustment or battery change between when you check your bag and finally get it back. Besides, we’ve all heard the horror stories of luggage being lost for days, weeks, even years. The inconvenience of wearing the same dirty clothes or having to buy new ones can be annoying but it’s a whole other story when your hearing aid supplies are lost.
- Wear your hearing aids through security checkpoints. If you take them out you risk losing or damaging your hearing aids. Also, you will be able to hear and respond appropriately to requests. Your hearing aids will not set off detectors and do not read on body scanners. However, you can inform security that you are wearing a hearing aid. If you are required to send your aid through the scanner, the x-ray scanner will not damage any of the components.
- Wear your aids while you are flying. You will want to be able to hear any announcements and alerts from flight attendants or the pilot. While they do request your turn off any electronic devices during take-off and landing, this does not apply to your hearing aids.
- Take advantage of visual clues to provide additional context. Traveling can take you through some very loud places. Airports are busy hubs full of background sounds and loud noises. Airplanes are essentially buses propelled by loud jet engines. It can be difficult to hear in those environments for anybody. That is why airports and planes are aplenty with visual instructions, directions, timetables, etc.
By now hearing aids may be an essential tool in your everyday life, you never leave home without them, but when you’re traveling don’t forget about all the other tools, parts, and accessories you keep in your arsenal and use to maintain your hearing aids. For more information about your hearing health, give us a call today!