Travel is a big part of our lives, however it can often be as stressful as it is enjoyable. For one in six Australians with hearing loss, the concern with travelling overseas can often be far greater.
Travel obstacles include an inability to hear or understand scheduled events such as planned activities, tours, museum lectures, and live performances. This may mean you miss learning about the culture and history of the place you are visiting and a valuable part of your holiday.
Janette Thorburn, principal audiologist at Australian Hearing, has prepared the following tips to ensure those with hearing loss have a hassle-free holiday.
Top tips for travelling overseas:
- Thoroughly clean and re-tube your hearing aid before you depart.
- Take enough batteries for the duration of your trip (you can get a supply of batteries from your Australian Hearing centre).
- Check that any old hearing aids you may have at home are working and pack them as spares.
- Map out the region’s hearing aid clinics before you depart.
- Ensure you take out separate travel insurance, and specify your condition and any hearing devices you may have in case of loss, theft or difficulty with the devices while abroad.
- Contact the airline you are travelling with, as well as the place where you will be staying, to make them aware of your hearing loss and alert them to any help you may require.
- Arrive early at the airport, bus terminal, or train station. Tell the agent at the boarding gate that you are hearing-impaired and need to be notified in person when it’s time to board.
- Do not be afraid to ask for help from fellow travellers—most are more than willing to offer assistance!
