Traveling for the holidays? If you’re one of the 28.8 million American adults who need hearing aids, you’ll need to add a couple of extra items to your packing list. We’ve compiled a guide here on some tricks and tips for traveling safely with hearing aids.
What to Pack
As you’re packing for your trip, bring extras of everything. It’s far better to bring, for example, more batteries than you need than not enough. Don’t forget these critical items at home:
- Extra hearing aid batteries or your hearing aid charger
- Extra earmolds or domes
- Storage case (we recommend a hard case)
- Complete hearing aid cleaning kit
- Hearing aid dehumidifier (especially if you’re traveling to somewhere near water or somewhere humid)
- Any hearing aid accessories you use frequently
Traveling by Plane
If you’re traveling by airplane, put all your hearing aid equipment into your carry-on bag, not your checked bag, so you always have access to your equipment while on the plane or during a long layover. Also note that TSA guidelines prohibit rechargeable hearing aid cases from being placed in checked luggage due to their lithium batteries.
You do not need to remove your hearing aids when going through airport security or when you’re on the airplane. In fact, please keep them in so you can maintain situational awareness and hear the directions and comments from the TSA agents and flight attendants, as well as hear announcements over the loudspeaker. Airports are loud, overstimulating environments, but it’s for your safety to keep your hearing aids in.
Traveling by Car
Just like with traveling on an airplane, we recommend putting your hearing aid equipment in an easily accessible bag when traveling in a car. It’s always better to have your equipment close at hand, rather than needing to pull over and pull everything out of the trunk.
If you’re the driver, be mindful of getting tired. Driving can wear you out, and listening fatigue will compound that tiredness. Driving tired can be dangerous, so either pull over or switch drivers if you feel your energy flagging.
Driving with the car windows rolled down can result in loud, annoying wind noise in your hearing aids. Wind noise can drown out other sounds and reach dangerous volumes at certain speeds, which can cause further damage to your hearing. Keep the windows up, if possible.
When You Arrive
Whenever you take your hearing aids out, put them in a hearing aid case. Keep your case with you everywhere you go, just in case you need to remove your hearing aids for any reason. Never set your hearing aids down wherever you are; they could get lost, damaged or stolen.
Additionally, stay on top of your cleaning routine with your hearing aids (there’s a reason we called out bringing the complete cleaning kit above!). Keeping your hearing aids clean will combat earwax buildup and moisture accumulation, which can prevent a lot of common hearing aid damage.
When you get home from your trip, call Sound Advice if you notice anything is amiss with your hearing aids. We can perform hearing aid maintenance or perform a professional cleaning.