Flying with Hearing Loss | Nevada Ear + Sinus Institute

While you may not have any plans to fly in the immediate future, it is important to be prepared for when you do. Flying with hearing loss may seem complicated, but if you follow these tips below it will be smooth ride.

Before You Leave

Proper preparation is the key to success. Before you leave for the airport, make sure your hearing aids and accessories are packed appropriately.

Never pack your hearing aids in your checked luggage.
Always bring backup batteries, tubing and any other accessories you may need.
Remember to pack your cleaning kit.

Before you leave for the airport, make sure you have signed up for any text services offered by your airline. You will receive notifications right on your phone about any flight delays or gate changes instead of having to strain to understand overhead announcements while in the airport.

In the Airport

Airports are crowded, noisy places full of people running from gate to gate. All this commotion makes it hard to focus. We recommend giving yourself plenty of time and arriving to the airport early.

While at the airport, you can turn down your hearing aids. Just make sure to let your travel companions know you are doing so. This way they will be sure to let you know if you missed any important information.

When going through security, let the TSA agent know you have hearing loss and whether you are wearing any amplification devices. They can then make any accommodations needed for you to successfully move through security. Typically, you will not have to remove your hearing aids from your ears when walking through the metal detector. It is always better to run this by the agent to prevent any additional security measures being taken.

On the Plane

Once seated on the plane, we recommend letting your flight attendant know you have hearing loss. They can then let you know important information in person or write the information down.

Taking your hearing aids off while flying is up to you. Some report the change in cabin pressure causes their ears to hurt, so they prefer to remove their devices before takeoff. Just make sure to put your hearing aids somewhere safe. Don’t put them in the seat pocket where they can be easily forgotten.

If your ears feel plugged up, try chewing gum. The act of chewing gum encourages jaw movement, which can help relieve pressure.

For more tips for traveling with hearing loss or to schedule an appointment, contact the hearing experts at Nevada Ear + Sinus Institute today.

Learn More About Hearing

Call Nevada Ear + Sinus Institute at (702) 735-7668 for more information or to schedule an appointment.