The Travel Guide for Hearing Aid Users
Travel is one of life’s greatest joys, but for those living with hearing loss, the logistics of navigating airports, long-haul flights, and unfamiliar foreign cities can feel a bit daunting. The good news? With a bit of strategic planning, your hearing aids can be your best travel companion rather than a source of stress.
Whether you are heading on a cruise, flying to Europe, or taking a road trip across Australia, this survival guide from Hearing Matters will ensure you never miss an announcement or a moment of the action.
Navigating Airport Security
A common concern for travelers is whether hearing aids will set off metal detectors or be damaged by X-ray machines.
- Keep them in: You do not need to remove your hearing aids when going through airport security. They are sophisticated medical devices and are designed to withstand standard security screening.
- Inform the staff: It is often helpful to let the security officer know you are wearing hearing aids, especially if you have a profound loss and may not hear their specific instructions clearly.
- X-Rays and Scanners: Standard walk-through metal detectors and full-body scanners will not harm your hearing aids. However, it is generally recommended that you do not put your hearing aids through the X-ray belt in a carry-on bin, as the high-dosage radiation used for luggage can occasionally interfere with the settings.
Managing the Long-Haul Flight
Aeroplanes are notoriously noisy environments. The constant “white noise” of the engine can make it difficult to hear the cabin crew or enjoy in-flight entertainment.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: If your hearing aids are Bluetooth-enabled, you can often stream audio directly from your tablet or phone. For the plane’s built-in entertainment system, consider a Bluetooth transmitter accessory that plugs into the headphone jack.
- Don’t Forget “Flight Mode”: Just like your phone, many modern hearing aids have a flight mode. Check your manual or ask your audiologist at Hearing Matters how to toggle this setting to disable wireless transmissions while in the air.
- Pressure Management: Swallowing or yawning during takeoff and landing helps equalise ear pressure. You can keep your hearing aids in during this time, but if you find the “plugged” sensation uncomfortable, you can temporarily remove them until your ears “pop.”
The International Packing Checklist
When you are thousands of kilometers from home, you don’t want to be caught without a vital component. Your “Hearing Travel Kit” should include:
- A Dehumidifier/Drying Kit: Travel often involves humidity or perspiration. A drying jar or electronic station is essential for pulling moisture out of the devices overnight.
- Power Solutions: If you use disposables, pack enough batteries for the entire trip plus one extra week. If you use rechargeables, bring your charging dock and a universal power adapter for international outlets.
- Cleaning Tools: Brushes and wax guards are small and easy to lose pack spares!
Traveling with hearing loss shouldn’t mean missing out on the world. If you’re planning a trip, book a “travel tune-up” at Hearing Matters to ensure your devices are in peak condition before you depart.