Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays might be a popular anthem this time of year, but many Southern California residents hit the roads or take to the skies to visit with relatives over the holidays. If you have hearing loss in Simi Valley or Thousand Oaks and are planning on traveling, we have tips to make your experience a bit less stressful.
Tips to Improve Your Holiday Travel Experience
If you wear hearing aids in Simi Valley and are heading out of town this holiday season, the following tips will help make your season merry and bright.
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Bring extra batteries
Most hearing aid batteries last between 5-14 days. You won’t want them to die on you right around the time those seven maids are a-milking, so pack enough to last the entire trip. Bring more than you think you’ll need, especially if traveling someplace cold; winter weather can sap battery life quickly. Got rechargeable hearing aids? Bring regular batteries as a backup.
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Arrive early
Whether you’re traveling by plane, train or bus, get to your departure point early. This will allow you time to make special arrangements with the ticket agent if necessary and will help ensure you don’t miss boarding calls or other special announcements. You might even be able to grab a seat early.
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Utilize your smartphone
Texting enables you to keep in touch with your traveling companions and can be a lifesaver should you accidentally get separated. Your phone provides access to public resources and apps that can help you with reservations, maps and travel alerts.
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Don’t remove your hearing aids
If you’re worried about wearing your hearing aids through security checkpoints, relax. Security equipment won’t harm your devices. Be sure to let the TSA agent know you are wearing them beforehand. This will alert them to the fact that your hearing aids might trigger the metal detector and ensure a minimal patting-down should this occur.
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Keep your hearing aids in your carry-on bag
Packing hearing aids in checked luggage is a bad idea. If your final destination is Paris, France but your baggage ends up in Paris, Texas, you’ll be without your hearing aids for at least a couple of days and unable to enjoy your trip. Always place them in your carry-on bag instead, along with any important extras such as chargers.
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Protect your hearing aids from moisture
If you’re visiting a wet or humid climate, such as Seattle or Honolulu, you’ll need to protect your hearing aids from moisture. Invest in a waterproof case and a dehumidifier to prevent damage.
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Look for hearing aid-friendly lodging
Many hotels offer amenities for the hearing-impaired. Try to book a room with features such as closed-caption televisions, looping systems and visual alerting devices to make your stay more pleasant.
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Print all important documents
Printed copies of reservations, travel itineraries and maps are essential, especially if you’re traveling to a foreign country where language barriers can compound the everyday struggle of communicating with hearing loss.
For more tips on traveling with hearing aids, contact your Simi Valley audiologist.