As we say, it’s a whole new world with hearing aids. And as such, hearing aids can help you explore the world! Traveling with hearing aids is an absolute delight. Experience the sounds, atmosphere and culture of other places with the help of your aids. Of course, it can be nerve-wracking to take precious electronics on trips, so here are some tips to help you feel secure and comfortable with your hearing aids while you travel.
Tips for Packing
When traveling with something vital like hearing aids, it’s better to bring more than you need than to bring too little. The last thing you want is for your hearing aid batteries to die while out and about, and for you not to have a battery pack on hand. Bring everything you might need, and bring extras.
Here’s our basic packing list for hearing aid users:
- Extra hearing aid batteries or your hearing aid charger
- Extra earmolds or domes
- Storage case (we recommend a hard case)
- Hearing aid lanyard or clips
- Complete hearing aid cleaning kit
- Hearing aid dehumidifier or electric dryer
- Any hearing aid accessories you like to use
Additionally, if you’re traveling by airplane, put all your hearing aid gear in your carry-on bag, so you have access to it on the flight and during any layovers.
Cleaning While Traveling
Traveling can expose your hearing aids to various hazards, depending on where you’re going. For example, if you’re going someplace tropical or to the beach, you need to be mindful of sand, salt and moisture. If you’re doing a lot of physical activity on your trip, such as hiking or other recreational activities, it can expose your hearing aids to moisture from sweat. We included the complete hearing aid cleaning kit in the packing list above for good reason. Make sure you keep up with cleaning your hearing aids every evening, even on vacation.
Hearing Aid Maintenance
Another item on the packing list was the hearing aid dehumidifier or dryer. Sweat, humidity and proximity to water (like the ocean, pool or lake) can all lead to moisture accumulation in your hearing aids, potentially causing significant damage to the battery and electrical components. Make sure you use a dehumidifier every night to remove moisture that may have landed on your hearing aids during the day.
If you need to take out your hearing aids for any reason, be sure to stash them in a safe place; don’t just set them on any surface nearby. Being left out and exposed in this manner opens your devices up to risks such as physical damage, falling off the surface, forgetting where you put them, theft or heat damage if they’re put in direct sunlight. Keeping a hard hearing aid case in your pocket or purse at all times ensures you have a secure place to store them.
If You Need an Audiologist
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, accidents happen while traveling. If you begin experiencing hearing aid issues or your devices get lost or damaged while you’re traveling, it can be hard to hunt down a local audiologist who can help.
Your first step is to reach out to your audiologist at home. There may be an audiology clinic nearby that they have a relationship with, or they may be able to help you find a reputable local hearing aid repair center. If you are unable to reach your audiologist for any reason, contact your hearing aid manufacturer and ask if they offer repair services in the area.
Upon returning home, make a repair appointment with your home audiologist to touch base on the issue and plan long-term next steps. If Waterville Audiology is your home audiologist, we can do a good clean-and-check to ensure there are no major issues. We also recommend checking in with us before you go. Contact Waterville Audiology today to schedule a tune-up before your trip. We want you to have a fun, fulfilling, sound-filled vacation!