The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders estimates that, “Approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) aged 18 and over report some trouble hearing.” This means, if you experience hearing loss, you’re far from alone this holiday season.
For those traveling with hearing aids, it can be an especially stressful experience. Fortunately, there are strategies you can follow to make it easier. We review the do’s and don’ts of traveling with hearing aids below.
Do
When it comes to traveling with hearing aids, do:
- Pack extra batteries. While your hearing aids do a great job of helping you hear everyone at the holiday dinner table, they can’t do this if your batteries are dead! Be sure to pack even more than you think you’ll need just to be on the safe side.
- Invest in a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers are a great place to store your hearing aids at night, as they remove any moisture that has accumulated throughout the day. This is especially important if you’re traveling to somewhere humid.
- Bring other communication tools. If you use any other communication tools in addition to your hearing aids, such as an assistive listening device like a Roger mic or even a pen and paper, be sure to bring them along too.
Don’t
When you’re traveling with hearing aids, don’t:
- Forget to clean them. It’s totally understandable that when you’re traveling, your nightly routine is thrown off. However, it’s still very important that you clean your hearing aids each night. To do this, wipe them down with a soft, dry, clean cloth, then remove stubborn debris with a wax pick/wire loop.
- Remove them during scans. When traveling through Sioux Gateway Airport in Sioux City, know that you don’t actually need to remove your hearing aids when you go through the X-ray machine. It won’t damage them, and you don’t want to accidentally lose them.
- Leave them unprotected. Whenever you do have to remove your hearing aids, make sure you put them in their protective case somewhere safe, like a pocket in your suitcase.
To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants today.