When traveling to your favorite destination you should put steps in place to safeguard your hearing aid investment. Vacations should be stress-free, but it doesn’t always turn out that way. If you plan ahead to care for and safeguard your hearing aids correctly, that’s one less thing to worry about while you travel. When traveling, are there any specific precautions to take for the protection of your hearing aids?
Start With the Essentials
Make sure to bring along a complete cleaning kit to begin. Anything you do at home to clean your hearing aids, you’ll want to do while you go on vacation. A brush or pick is included with the majority of quality brand cleaning kits. When you’re not wearing them, you need to put them in a case for storage. Also, bring a soft cleaning cloth to wipe them down with.
You may also need extra batteries. You will most likely wear your hearing aid more than normal so a backup set is a smart idea. If your hearing aids come with rechargeable batteries, bring an additional charger, as well. Carry your chargers in separate bags in the event that one gets lost.
These are a few other items you may want to bring along:
- Tubing
- Soft domes
- Sport clip
A checklist is important so that you can be certain you don’t forget anything you might need. An easy to get at place should be chosen to carry your hearing aid supplies in. If you are flying, as an example, carry this stuff in your carry on luggage or bag.
Get Your Hearing Aids Professionally Cleaned and Checked
Bring your hearing aids in for a good cleaning and a professional tune-up a week or two before vacation. While traveling it’s necessary that they are correctly functioning. Ask the retailer about any warranties you have on the devices and take any paperwork with you just in case something happens. Make sure that you know the steps for filing a claim, so you don’t neglect anything and void your warranty.
It won’t hurt to ask if there is a retailer around where you will be staying, also. Or research hearing aid repair or retailers on your own. This way you know where to go if you need a quick service, a new battery or even a new hearing aid.
Wearing Hearing Aids at The Airport
With all of the changing security criteria, going to the airport is always puzzling. When you are walking through the security gate, keep your hearing aids in your ear. Notify security that you are wearing them as you approach so that they know ahead of time. If you adhere to the security agent’s direction you probably won’t have to take them out to go through the metal detector.
You are also free to wear your hearing aids aboard the airplane. You will not need to turn them off before take off like you have to with a cell phone, either. Be prepared because sometimes your hearing aid won’t work quite as well when you’re on the plane. Use visual indicators to make people aware that you may not hear as well. Cupping your ear, for example, sends a signal that you can’t understand.
Consider Getting a Dryer or Dehumidifier
Vacations often go hand in hand with water fun and humidity. Even if you aren’t planning on swimming in a pool or going in the ocean, it is a prudent idea to bring a way to dry out your hearing aids at night to prevent water damage. A dryer is a precaution worth having year round, but it’s particularly important when you travel.
Learn About How Your Hearing Aids Operate
Certain features work better in one kind of setting, other features work better in a different kind of setting. For example, you’ll need to filter out background noise in a restaurant or at a theme park. You will have more fun at the beach when you use outdoor settings. You can’t know what feature to take advantage of if you are not familiar with how your hearing aid works.
Bring a Remote Microphone
A remote microphone will be convenient in noisy settings, when driving in the car, or if you are on a plane. When you are conversing with someone, clip the mic to them and you will be able to hear them better.
Notify the Hotel or Resort
Popular vacation venues commonly have accommodations for the hearing impaired. You’ll want to take advantage of that since you won’t be using your hearing aids at night. Ask them about rooms with smoke alarms that have flashing lights or shake the bed. Find out if they have special phones for the hearing impaired and televisions with closed captioning.
Traveling is fun, but it can also be crazy, too. Deal with your hearing aids before you go, so you can relax and enjoy your trip. Schedule an appointment for a tune-up today.