Now that Summer is in full swing, many of us are starting to think of travel plans. Traveling can be equally exhausting as well as exhilarating. It’s a wonderful treat to go to new places or reconnect with old friends and family, but overall, it will undoubtedly go smoother when you are prepared. If you use hearing aids, then this cannot be more important, especially if you are new to hearing aids. It’s important to plan ahead for anything that could go wrong. If you do the planning now, you will have less to worry about when it’s finally time to relax and enjoy your well-deserved vacation. Here are a few tips to help your adventure go as smoothly as possible.
Pack Your Hearing Aids Safely
When traveling with hearing aids, the best way to pack them is to wear them. You want to be as alert as you can be as you travel to new places you aren’t accustomed to. You can not only be assured that your hearing aids will be safely in your ears, but you will be aware of approaching traffic, announcements over intercoms and important conversations as you navigate to your destination. If you do need to take them out, make sure to put them safely in a travel bag, rather than the cup holder of your airplane seat. It would be a major inconvenience if you forgot them and there is nothing worse than traveling with untreated hearing loss.
Pack Extra Batteries/Charging Station
Don’t get stuck far away from home without batteries to power your hearing aids. Make sure to pack plenty of extra batteries. Many hearing aids now use rechargeable batteries so if this is your circumstance, make sure to pack your charging station. It’s a good idea to pack some batteries in your carry-on, in the unfortunate instance that your bags are lost in transit. One the other hand, if you lose your carry one bag, make sure to pack extra batteries or an alternative charging station in your checked baggage as well. It can be a real nightmare to find the right battery or charging station while on the go, especially if you are in a foreign country.
Pack Cleaning Supplies
To take care of your hearing aids correctly, it’s important to clean them every night along with your nighttime routine. Your hearing aids may take on extra dirt and wear while you visit new places in unexpected elements. Be sure to keep up a cleaning routine at the end of each day and pack plenty of dry clothes to wipe them down at the end of the day.
Invest in a Dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers for hearing aids can be a lifesaver on a trip. If you are in a humid location or sweating more than you normally do, this is a great purchase and can end up saving you a lot of money. Condensation can ruin hearing aids, quickly causing a short circuit and leaving you struggling to hear for the rest of the trip.
Avoid Water, Sand & Snow
While many hearing aids are water resistant, there is not a hearing aid available that is waterproof. If you go to the beach, make sure to take your hearing aids out and put them in a waterproof case before you reach the sand. If you like to ski, you run the risk of your hearing aids falling out and getting damaged or lost. Be as careful as you can and assess if it is worth the risk for you.
Pair Your Devices with GPS
If you drive or rent a car, you can use Bluetooth features of your hearing aids to pair them with your GPS. This really comes in handy when navigating new areas, you’ve never been. The benefit of using Bluetooth is that it sends a wireless signal to your hearing aids, which avoids issues with distracting sounds from the road.
Enjoy the Adventure
There are so many things that can happen when traveling. Part of the beauty of traveling is that you can’t always predict what will occur. You might not hear every word but try to relax and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you feel you need it. For better or worse, make sure to enjoy your journey.