Travel Tips for the Hearing Impaired

April 28, 2018

Travelling is one of the most worthwhile activities a person can ever embark on. Traveling allows us to meet new people, see new places, and experience a different culture. Nevertheless, it’s just as equally challenging as it is enjoyable. And this is even more true for people who are having difficulty in hearing.

COMMON PROBLEMS

Let’s break down all the common problems faced by hearing loss patients when travelling.

Not being able to properly hear announcements when boarding on airplanes and other modes of transportation
Not hearing alarms, doorbells, and phone calls when staying in a hotels and other lodging
Difficulty talking to attendants, communicating with receptionists ,ordering food in a restaurant, and other necessary conversations
Not being able to enjoy activities such as guided tours and live shows
Unavailability of interpreters

TRAVEL TIPS

Fortunately, with a little planning, all these challenges can be overcome. Going on a trip soon? Avoid unnecessary stress by preparing yourself with these tips.

Tip #1: Sign up for travel alerts

Most airlines have integrated their announcements with texts, emails, and mobile apps now. Make sure to sign up and double-check information given to you, so you never have to worry about missing an announcement again.

Tip #2: Note your hearing loss needs when booking

A lot of businesses have already started to implement hearing loss-friendly services. When booking for a flight or a lodging, don’t forget to let them know about your condition. This way, they can make necessary preparations for your specialised needs.

Tip #3: Write down your accommodation address

Riding a bus or a cab can be exceptionally difficult when you have a hearing loss. To ensure that you will be able to communicate the correct address of your lodging to the driver, write it down on a paper or in your smartphone and show it every time you have to be in transit.

Tip #4: Learn the train stops

Learn the train stops ahead of time, so you don’t have to rely on the announcements.

Tip #5: Inform others about your condition

When talking to other people, don’t be afraid of letting them know about your hearing loss. For instance, when you’re ordering in a restaurant, it may be helpful to let the waiter know that you have a difficulty in hearing. This way, establishments can make necessary adjustments to cater to your needs.

Tip #6: Wear your hearing aid

This is the ultimate and most effective way to overcome challenges when travelling with hearing loss. Get yourself a hearing aid, which will help you listen better and travel without stress.

TRAVELLING WITH HEARING AIDS

Speaking of hearing aids, here are some more tips and other information that you need to take note of if you want to travel hassle-free with a hearing device.

Have your hearing aid cleaned and checked up before bringing it on a trip to make sure it’s working finely.
Body scanner don’t usually detect hearing aids, so there’s no need for you to remove them when going through security screening processes.
Clean your device daily to avoid build up of moist and wax.
Always bring extra batteries wherever you go to make sure you never run out of them in the most unexpected situations.
Create a checklist for your hearing aid items. Use this to double-check when leaving the hotel or packing when you’re already going back from your destination.

Preparation is the key. Take note of all these tips and give yourself that nice and worry-free vacation that you deserve. For more helpful insights about hearing loss, you may browse through our blog section here.

About The Listening Lab

Listening Lab is a home-grown company whose mission is to help our clients restore their hearing to enjoy the life that they desire. Experiencing hearing loss can be detrimental to one’s quality of life. Hence we commit to providing high-quality hearing solutions.

Our hearing solutions include hearing tests and treatment and prescribing hearing aids. Clients may come to get their hearing checked, and we will assess whether hearing aids are required.

If hearing aids are required, clients can choose from a variety of the best hearing aid brands we provide. Each of the products offers unique features that complement daily use and perform well in helping our clients enjoy the life that they desire.

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What Do Our Customers Say?

Person in charge nice and helpful with warm smiling face. Should you have hearing problem, can seek for her advise.

Catherine Tang Yap

Your service is marvellous! Patient and friendly. Mr Ching has been a customer of The Listening Lab since 2018. We have been attending to him for his follow up reviews and we are glad to see his progress!

Mr Ching

My husband purchased a Siemens Pure 7PX in 2016. We wish to appreciate Listening Lab for their ongoing attention and professional help they have been providing to us.

Mr & Mrs Sriram

My mum has hearing loss for many years. Consultant of Listening Lab helped her fitted with Resound hearing aid. His patience and professionalism was greatly appreciated as the hearing aid enable her to hear and communicate with the people around her especially her grand children. We are happy with the services rendered by consultant. Keep up the good work!!

Madam Low

The Voice of two Generations in Singapore radio, Mr Brian Richmond, has chosen The Listening Lab to be his audiology and hearing services provider. We could not be prouder!

Brian is the definitive household name in English Radio since the early years of Singapore's founding, starting with Rediffusion followed by Radio One and now with Gold 90.5FM as well as Vintage Radio Singapore. His honeyed voice and selection of music filling our ears as we lived the bustle of our daily lives.

Soccer fans from the Malaysia Cup era of soccer will never forget his heart-pounding commentary from "live" matches, as we experienced the ups and downs of the Singapore Lions in the 1970s to 90s.

Our Executive Director Kelvin Lee is proudly beaming ear-to-ear in this photo with Brian. But you wont be able to see it through the masks!

Brian Richmond

I started experiencing loss of hearing sometimes in 2010 (41 years old) owing to some medical issue. I was having difficulties hearing conservation especially in meeting. Thus, giving me the fear in attending meeting.

Initially I started with Phonak hearing aid. It helps amplified the sound and I could hear better then. Somehow, my hearing loss deteriorated further that in late 2012 (43 years old), there was profound loss of hearing on my right ear. Even digital hearing aid could not help. On my left ear there is still about 50% to 60% hearing with hearing aid. I was lost at this point of time. I was considering learning sign language. I went to see my ENT specialist and my audiologist Mr. Bala advised me to go for an CI as an alternative to my hearing loss.

I also thank God for Engineer and Scientist, giving them the knowledge to create such a complex and sophisticate device to help those with hearing loss like me. It will be all perfect if the cost is affordable too.

Jonathan Po

I took my mum to Listening Lab at Simei to get her hearing aid fixed, during our first visit, she patiently explained the whole procedure to my mum and also explain to my mum why she really in need to fix the hearing aid. She is very knowledgeable, and friendly, and we are encouraged to ask questions. she is also very patient with old people which is the most importance. Also her after service is superb so I highly recommend.

Mdm Goh

My mum, Madam Kek (73 year old) had the Cochlear implant (CI) done on her left side in 10th September 2019. Thereafter, thanks to the subsequent auditory verbal therapy, evaluation from SGH ENT team, as well as, the support from AB's and Listening Lab staffs; Madam Kek was able to hear, comprehend sound and music from her Cochlear implant, Naida CI Q90, and hearing aid (HA), Naida Link UP, for her right side before end year. We are happy that both the CI and HA have improved mum qualify of life. Now Madam Kek is looking forward to work again to pass her time as she can hear and better communicate with others.

Madam Kek

Titus was implanted when he was 18 months old. He is a happy, talkative 6.5 years old now. AB has been with him for 5 wonderful hearing years and we are looking forward to a bright future that lies ahead for him. AB’s Naída CI sound processors are reliable and the technology is constantly evolving and upgrading. When Titus was introduced to Naida Link CROS, his life was enriched. The wireless network established between his Naida CI sound processor and a Naida Link CROS transmitter allows him to hear from both ears. This changes Titus’s life and the way we interact with him. We are also very pleased with the prompt response and service provided to us. The staff in AB genuinely cares! We want to thank AB for making Titus’s hearing journey an enjoyable and a relatively stress free one!

Titus Pang

I have been living with progressive hearing loss for more than three decades. Socially, I find myself fearful of communicating with people and at home, watching 'soundless' television programs is a norm.

An unforgettable experience. Trying on a pair of Resound GN hearing aid, I was energized and revitalized and overwhelmed with emotional tears of joy. The Resound GN is truly remarkable and uniquely equipped with three-friendly-user environmental modes that provide hearing comfort wherever we are.

In particular, I like to extend my utmost gratitude to Hearing Consultant. With her profound compassion and wisdom in guiding me, I am confident that I can forge a formidable partnership with the Listening Lab; So that I can rebuild a new chapter of a happy and value-creative life and simultaneously, leaving behind the painful memories of the past three decades.

Mr Tan