Many Californians are planning on traveling again this summer. If you’re one of them and also have hearing loss, learn what steps you can take to make traveling easier.
Seven Ways to Make Traveling Easier with Hearing Loss 
- Bring your equipment. Don’t forget to bring your hearing aids and pack plenty of batteries or your charger. Additionally, bring something for storage, like their case or drying box, as well as any other accessories like personal amplifiers if you use them.
- Do your research. Check to see if your hotel has accommodations for people with hearing loss. The same goes for any places you plan to visit destinations like museums or concert halls.
- Know about any mask requirements. While mask mandates have been lifted in many places, certain forms of travel, as well as individual businesses, have kept them in place. Wearing a mask can make it harder to communicate when you have hearing loss. You may need to adjust your hearing aid setting to better amplify speech and don’t be afraid to ask someone to speak up if you didn’t understand.
- Reduce noise. If you’re driving, sounds from the road and wind can be distracting. To help mitigate this you can keep your windows up and the radio at a low volume. If you have the option, you may want to stream GPS directions directly into your hearing aids for a clearer sound.
- Protect your hearing. Traveling can be noisy! If you’re traveling by train, try to sit in the quiet car. If you’re flying, consider using earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to help protect your ears from noise damage. Sitting up front or in the aisle is also a good idea, since it’s farther away from the engine.
- Avoid airplane ear. If you experience plugged ears or ear pain when you fly, look into earplugs specifically made for flying. These can help reduce pressure changes in your ear. Studies have also shown that oral pseudoephedrine may reduce ear pain in adults during flights. Ask your doctor if you have any medical conditions that prevent you from taking decongestants. If they say it’s safe, consider taking one 30 minutes before takeoff.
- Communicate your needs. Whether it’s your travel companion, a passenger seated next to you, or an attendant at Los Angeles International Airport, it’s important to communicate your hearing needs to others. This can help ensure you don’t miss any important announcements when traveling.
Get Evaluated for Untreated Hearing Loss
Don’t delay treating your hearing loss if you haven’t already. Not only will treatment with customized hearing aids make it easier to travel, but it can also improve your mental and physical health, as well as keep your hearing loss from getting worse.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Decibel Hearing Services today.