Tips For Traveling With a Hearing Loss

By Joel Silverman, HAD, BC-HIS

Sound Hearing Centers

. http://www.soundhearingcenter.com/

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Tips For Traveling With a Hearing Loss

Travel, while exciting, can also be an exhausting task given today's rigorous security procedures. Add in struggles with a hearing loss to the process and it can become even more daunting of a challenge. To help in this process, the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) has recently provided some helpful tips on their website, read articles here, for traveling with a hearing loss.

Their suggestions refer to the security screening process and offer some helpful insights. Firstly, they confirm that hearing aids can and should be worn when walking through the metal detector. While hearing aids will not set off an alarm, they will not be affected by the metal detector or X-ray screening, should you choose to pass those through in a checked bag or carry-on tote.

Also, TSA security officers have been trained to help accommodate travelers with disabilities to make sure to be clear in your needs if you would like them to talk slow for lip reading purposes or need to communicate with sign language. Lastly, those who use a dog companion for hearing or seeing purposes can go through security checkpoints with their animal but need to follow service animal special guidelines in doing so.

We want to also provide some tips for taking your aids with you on a vacation to ensure no damage occurs in adverse conditions. Our first suggestion is a simple enough one but may be overlooked by many to their own dismay.

When packing your hearing aids in a suitcase, make sure to do so by putting them in their case, which will protect them from damage. Also, we would recommend bringing a small dri-aid kit if you are traveling to a climate with considerable humidity for an extended period of time. This can help prevent moisture damage to the hearing aid as a result of the climate elements.

Lastly, bring extra batteries; especially if you are traveling abroad, to make sure you are never left without the ability to take in the sounds of your destination with your hearing aids.