Your Ultimate Guide to Holiday Travel With Hearing Aids

Are you planning to fly this holiday season? Whether visiting friends and family or heading on a solo holiday, an overseas trip promises a change of scenery and a festive celebration. If you’re feeling anxious about travelling with hearing loss, don’t be! With some preparation, travelling with hearing aids is easier than you might think. In this helpful guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know for a smooth journey with hearing aids so you can enjoy your holiday.

Do You Need to Remove Hearing Aids at Airport Security?

You don’t need to remove your hearing aids for airport security. However, it’s a good idea to inform security staff that you wear hearing aids. That way, they know the reason if you don’t respond to their instructions or get flagged for additional screening.¹ 

If you aren’t wearing hearing aids through security, don’t place them directly on the conveyor belt or in the plastic bins. This could damage your hearing aids due to the static electricity generated. Instead, ask for assistance from security staff. 
 

Can I Take My Hearing Aid Charger in My Hand Luggage?

Most charger units for hearing aids are made from lithium-ion batteries, so they must be carried in the cabin on flights. For this reason, ensure they’re in your hand luggage, not your checked luggage. 
 

Can I Fly While Wearing Hearing Aids?

You can! There are currently no restrictions on wearing hearing aids during a flight; just ensure you have flight mode activated. 

You don’t need to switch your hearing aids off during take-off because listening to the safety procedures is essential. If it’s a long flight, you can preserve your batteries by switching them off before you sleep.² 

It’s also worth letting the cabin crew know you have hearing loss in case you miss essential crew announcements. On-board entertainment may not have captioning, so bringing your own entertainment may be a good idea. 
 

What Is Flight Mode on Hearing Aids?

Flight mode is similar to that on your mobile device. Activating flight mode won’t turn off standard hearing aid functionality, but it will turn off Bluetooth connectivity functions. This means that while you can still hear sounds far better, your hearing aids won’t be connected to the mobile phone, tablet, or computer. 
 

Travelling With Hearing Aids: Your Ultimate Checklist

1. Make a packing list: the best way to prepare is to list all your hearing aid devices and accessories. Pack this in your carry-on bag, as you never know what might happen in transit. 
2. Ensure your hearing aids are charged: depending on the length of your trip, ensure you have enough batteries to power your hearing aids for the duration. If you have rechargeable hearing aids, be sure to pack a charger. If you are travelling overseas, pack a power adapter. 
3. Inform the airline staff: airports are noisy, and hearing can be difficult due to many competing sounds. At the departure gate, tell the flight staff that you have hearing loss so they can notify you when it’s time to board. On board, let the cabin crew and seatmates know you have hearing loss so they can assist you in an emergency.
4. Label your devices: labelling is the best way to avoid losing your devices and accessories. Include a phone number so they can be returned if lost. 
5. Have your hearing aids checked before departure: there’s nothing worse than arriving overseas to find that your hearing aids are malfunctioning. Be sure to visit your hearing care professional before you leave so they can ensure that your hearing aids are working correctly.
6. Inform hotel staff: once you’ve arrived at your destination, tell the hotel staff or receptionist you have hearing loss. They can offer assistive listening devices for the TV. You can also request that any critical information be conveyed through text to avoid unheard interruptions from room service or missed wake-up calls. 

Don’t let hearing loss hold you back from overseas travel. The sky’s the limit when it comes to holiday adventures!

Be sure to visit your local Connect Hearing clinic to prepare for your travels. Our friendly team can help ensure you pack the essentials so you can focus on enjoying your holiday. 

References:

1. Hearingaid.org.uk (31 October 2023), Travelling with Hearing Loss: Holiday travel tips for those with hearing aids and hearing loss, Hearing Aid UK Ltd, accessed 8 November 2024. 
2. Simpleflying.com (n.d.), Flying with Hearing Loss: 5 Top Tips, Simple Flying, accessed 8 November 2024.