Travel Tips for the Hearing Impaired

TRAVEL TIPS FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED

What are common problems?
What arrangements can be made?
How should hearing aids / Processors for CI be handled when traveling
And more...

Travel is an important aspect of our lives. Whether for business or vacation, traveling can be as stressful as it is enjoyable. And for more than 30 million people in the U.S. with hearing loss, travel can be especially difficult.

What are common problems?

• Inability to hear or understand airline boarding and in-flight announcements;
• Difficulty making reservations;
• Inability to hear hotel room telephones, someone knocking on the door, or warning signals such as smoke alarms;
• Difficulty using public telephones, hotel phones, cell phones etc.;
• Inability to hear or understand scheduled events such as planned activities, tours, museum lectures, and live performances;
• Lack of oral and / or sign language interpreters;
• Lack of accommodations for hearing dogs.

What arrangements can be made?

• Try to make all travel arrangements in advance. Once transportation arrangements have been made, request written confirmation to ensure that information is correct. Always inform the ticket representative that you are hearing-impaired.
• If possible, meet with a travel agent to allow the opportunity for lip reading, or if necessary, written exchange to help confirm travel plans. Agents can contact airlines, hotels, and attractions to make necessary reservations.
• Travel information and reservations services are also available on the Internet. Be sure to print copies of important information such as confirmation numbers, reservations, maps etc.
• It is important to 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.
• Confirm the flight number and destination before boarding.
• Inform the flight attendant that you are hearing impaired and request that any in-fling announcements be communicated to you in person.

In order to assist individuals who require the use of a telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD), many major airlines and transportation companies have TDD service. Current technology with hand-held personal communication devices provides the ability to send and receive text messages without the need to access public resources.

Is Telephone Assistance Available?

All public telephones should now have a "blue-grommet" attachment to the handset indicating it is compatible with the "T" switch in hearing aids or CIs. Some public phones have an amplifying headset. Or you may purchase a pocket amplifier from your audiologist or hearing aid dispenser. Cellular phones have solved many of these problems. All manufacturers have models that are also compatible with your hearing aid/ CI. You can search the Internet by typing in HAC (hearing aid compatible) phones to get more information. There are many visual alert systems and listening devices that can be useful while traveling.

END OF PART ONE

From the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery