TRAVELLING WITH HEARING AIDS

Before you leave

•  When you are booking your flights you may be able to sign up for notifications by email or text message regarding any changes to your flights.
•  If you are travelling abroad it is best to research whether you are required to take a power converter for your battery charger.
•  Take your essential hearing aid equipment in your hand luggage. If the checked in luggage goes missing you will be glad you did.

• Some hearing aids and equipment can cost thousands of dollars. You may need additional item cover if your travel insurance plan doesn’t cover the entire cost of your hearing aids and equipment.
•  Ensure you take sufficient cleaning equipment with you.
•  If you are particularly hard of hearing (or visually impaired) you should not sit in exit row seats for safety purposes. When booking your seat it is best to inform the airline / your travel agent of your condition.
•  When booking you may plan on bringing on devices which require aircraft power. Check with your airline if they can do so while being compliant with their safety requirements.

At the airport

•  You are not required to remove your hearing aids when you are walking through the airport security scanners. But it is advisable to notify the guards you are wearing one before you walk through.
•  If you do set off the alarm – you are always entitled to request additional assistance if you are particularly hard of hearing.
•  It’s not uncommon to hear a buzzing sound when you walk through the scanners. You may wish to avoid this by turning off your telecoil.
•  Once you are on the plane; you do not need to turn your hearing aids off. They don’t transmit signals like a mobile phone would.

Once you have landed

•  Be aware of your surroundings. If the area you are travelling in is humid, you may need a hearing aid de-humidifier. If you’re visiting people with children or pets – make sure your hearing aids are out of reach and stored safely. True story; we have had Clients contact us because their expensive hearing aids were taken by bush rats whilst they were on a domestic camping trip!
•  Don’t be afraid to ask for help from fellow travellers.

The most important tip is not to stress and enjoy your trip. Take a phrase book with you or learn the appropriate phrase for “I am hard of hearing” for where you are travelling to.