Travel tips for the Hearing Impaired: Part 1

What Other Devices are Helpful When Traveling?

Telephone amplifiers and induction couplers can be attached to public or hotel phones and can help increase the volume of the telephone. induction couplers also make the telephone compatible with your hearing aid / CI telecoil. telephone manufacturers produce handsets such as the G6 and G66 which plug easily into any modular telephone. Using your own compatible cellular phone, however, not only eliminates these problems, but the calls are also less expensive.

• There are small portable visual alert systems available that flashlight when a telephone rings or fire alarm sounds. these can be transported and easily installed in hotel rooms. In the U.S. they should be provided if you ask.
• FM listening systems can provide direct amplification in large areas using radio frequency. they can help the hearing impaired traveler listen to lectures, tours etc., by simply having the speaker use a transmitter microphone, broadcasting the presentation over the air waves to the receiver.
• Another technology is portable infrared systems which can be used with hotel TVs and radios. These transmit sound via invisible IR light to a listener's receiver.
• Portable wake-up alarms can be used to flash a light or vibrate a bed or pillow. Cell phones can also work as a vibrating alarm.
• There are portable TV band radios that can be tuned to compatible TV channels and listened to through an earphone. You can set the volume to suit yourself and watch TV without disturbing others.

How Should Hearing aid"s / CIs be Handled When Traveling?

If you wear a hearing aid, be sure to pack extra batteries and tubing (CI users will need to remember to take the "charger" or even the car "charging" device, and any plugs that would be needed in a foreign country. It would be wise to take a dehumidifier for drying your devices each night to prevent moisture problems, especially if your destination has a warm, humid climate. there are many things that hearing impaired people can do to help make their travels sage, comfortable and enjoyable. travel does not have to be avoided because of hearing loss. So plan ahead, inform your fellow travelers, transportation hosts, and hotel clerks that you are hearing impaired, obtain any necessary devices, and enjoy yourself.

Lodging

• Carry printed copies of lodging reservations, dates, and prices.
• Inform the receptionist at the front desk that you are hearing impaired. this is very important in case of emergency.
• Certain major hotel chains now provide visual alerting devices to help the hearing impaired traveler recognize the right of the telephone, a knock on the door, or a fire/emergency alarm. it may be advisable, however, to contact the hotel/motel in advance to make the necessary arrangements. Service to help in such situations are available. Request a room that is equipped for an individual with hearing loss. when you make a reservation and register at the hotel, confirm that such equipment is available. these communication features are frequently provided free of charge to hotel guests.

Lodging and the Internet

• Inquire what resources are available for using the internet and email.
• Does the hotel provide wireless or wired access to the internet?
• Do you need to bring your own laptop?
• Is there a business office you can use for these purposes?