Are you making travel plans this spring? If so, you may be planning to book a hotel room. If you’re one of the 7.1% of adults ages 45 and older who use a hearing aid, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you may want to take extra measures to make the most of the experience. We review how to make the most of a hotel stay with hearing loss below.
Look into Accessibility Features Before Booking
As you’re researching hotels at your destination, check their website or call them to ask about what accessibility features they offer. For example, you can ask:
- If their lobby is usually loud and bustling or quiet and peaceful.
- Whether they have closed captioning on their televisions in the rooms or breakfast area.
- If there is a visual notification system for critical alerts, like fire or drills.
- Whether they offer a kit with amenities for patrons with hearing loss, like a captioned phone or shake-awake alarm clock.
Pack Your Hearing Essentials
It is essential when you’re packing for your hotel stay that you bring your hearing aids and all your accessories, including:
- Your hearing aids, so you can hear and communicate well with the staff and the people you’re staying with.
- Your charging dock, if you have rechargeable hearing aids.
- Extra batteries from Home Care Pharmacy, so you’re not left unable to follow along with the conversations.
- Your hearing aid case to store your hearing aids in when you’re not using them.
- Your cleaning kit with a soft, dry cloth, wax pick/wire loop and a soft brush.
- Your dehumidifier, in case they get wet or the place you’re staying is humid.
- An adapter for your charger if you’re traveling abroad.
- Any other assistive listening devices or accessories that you use.
Bring Your Alarm Clock
If you’re staying at a hotel that doesn’t have an accessible alarm clock, consider bringing your own, especially if you’re traveling for business or have scheduled activities you need to wake up in time for. It may be more peaceful to wake up if you have a sunrise or bed-shaking alarm clock that you’re used to.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call Decibel Hearing Services today.