Hearing
Travel tips for people with hearing loss
From hard-to-hear transport announcements to ill-equipped hotels, travelling can be a challenge for people with hearing loss. Here are our tips for stress-free travel with hearing loss.
What are the common problems?
- Difficulty hearing airline boarding and in-flight announcements.
- Making reservations.
- Hearing hotel room telephones, someone knocking on the door, or warning signals such as smoke alarms.
- Using public telephones, hotel phones or mobiles.
- Trouble with hearing scheduled events such as planned activities, tours, museum lectures, and live performances.
What arrangements can be made?
- The hustle and bustle of travelling, whether by air, train or shop, can be especially draining if you are hearing impaired. Try to make all travel arrangements in advance and when made, request written confirmation to ensure information is correct. Print out copies of travel arrangements, including confirmation numbers, and make sure they are easily available when you’re on the go.
- Sign up to text message or email alerts when you make reservations for accommodation, transport and tours. This way if there are any delays or cancellations, you won’t miss important announcements.
- Leave yourself plenty of time to get to airport, bus terminal, or train station. Let the appropriate authorities know you are hearing-impaired and need to be notified in person when it’s time to board.
- Check, and double-check, the display board to confirm your departure times and destinations. There may be delays or departure gate could be changed so confirm your details with authorities before boarding.
- If flying, let flight attendant know that you are hearing-impaired and ask if any in-flight announcements be communicated to you in person. Choose seats near the cabin steward and the aisle so you staff are easily accessible.
- Inform your accommodation that you are hearing-impaired so you can be sure they will reach you in case of emergency.
- If you wear hearing aids, bring extra batteries and tubing in your carry-on. Keep an extra set of batteries in your check-in just in case you lose any pieces.
- Make sure you’ve got a quick and easy way to “talk” to others in noisy and loud environment. A pen and paper or typing on your smartphone can prevent frustrating miscommunications.
- Don’t be afraid to let people you meet know you might need a little extra help because your hearing impaired. Most people are more than happy to help out a fellow traveller.