By Joy Victory, Editor-in-Chief, Healthy Hearing
Last updated on July 18, 20232023-07-18T00:00:00-05:00
It’s no secret that air travel has become increasingly unpleasant in recent years. COVID-19, overbooked flights, minimal in-flight meal service, and airlines’ attempts to cram passengers in with less legroom are just some of the indignities travelers must endure to reach their destinations.
No need to lose your hearing
Security checks and
Inside the plane.
But air travel can be particularly challenging for people with hearing loss. Hearing loss can affect everything from pre-boarding procedures to gate change announcements and in-flight communication, leading to frustration and distress. Wearing a mask and hearing aids at the same time can be difficult, further complicating air travel.
There is still a long way to go before all passengers can travel with equal access to services. Here are some tips to make traveling easier for those with hearing loss:
Before you travel
Before you leave, check out our travel tips for people with hearing loss (including a recommended packing list) and be prepared for little hiccups like forgetting your hearing aid charger. We also recommend consulting a hearing health care professional before traveling with your hearing aids to ensure they are in good condition. Don’t forget your cleaning kit.
Overcoming challenges at the airport
Being aware that you have a hearing impairment
Lack of communication at the airport.
After nearly missing several flights because of her hearing loss, Lise Hamlin now has a preparation strategy for getting through airports successfully.
“Since then, I have self-identified at every stage of my travels: when I purchase my ticket, at the ticket counter, at TSA security, at the airline gate, when I board the plane, and at baggage claim when necessary,” Hamlin, who serves as public policy director for the National Hearing Loss Association, said in an article for the organization.
She also has a hearing dog that helps her navigate some complicated hearing situations.
Depending on the severity of your hearing loss, you may want to use a hearing safety product such as a pin to quietly identify yourself, which can help avoid misunderstandings, including potentially dangerous interactions with security guards, like the one that happened to a woman who broke her arm at an airport in Austin, Texas, Hamlin said.
Going through security with your hearing aids
Fortunately, you don’t have to remove your hearing aids before going through security. If you’re wearing your hearing aids when you go through security, let the TSA officer know; some hearing aids may alert you to additional screening. If you’re not wearing your hearing aids, don’t place them directly on conveyer belts or in plastic containers, as static electricity can build up and damage them. Instead, ask for help.
When going through airport security, do not place your hearing aids on the conveyor belt or in a plastic container as this may create electricity that can damage the hearing aids.
Airport Hearing Loops
More and more airports are installing induction loop systems. An induction loop system consists of a loop of wire that generates an electromagnetic signal, which is received directly by your hearing aid. The telecoil used in induction loop systems allows hearing aid and cochlear implant users to hear more clearly, even in areas with background noise or poor acoustics. To connect to an airport’s induction loop, simply switch your hearing aid to the “telecoil” or “T” setting. If you’re not sure if your hearing aid has a telecoil, ask your hearing care provider.
Boarding a plane
The good news: When the flight attendant announces that all devices should be turned off and stowed in the seat pockets, you don’t have to turn off your hearing aids.
The bad news is that in-flight entertainment like TV shows and movies may not have subtitles, and the frequent announcements made by pilots and flight attendants can be hard to hear, even for people with normal hearing.
Depending on the severity of your hearing loss, you may want to let the flight attendant know that you are having trouble hearing the flight attendants’ announcements clearly. It is also a good idea to bring your own entertainment, such as reading books or downloading videos on a tablet. Finally, don’t forget to take measures to avoid ear pain during the flight.
Know your rights
The Air Carrier Access Act, passed by Congress in 1986, provides special benefits for the hearing impaired. It states in part:
Information and booking services must be accessible. Information at the airport must be accessible even after self-declaration of hearing impairment. Televisions at airports must have closed captions turned on. Communication on commercial aircraft must be effective even after self-declaration of hearing impairment. Service animals are allowed.
ACAA and ADA guidelines regarding hearing impairments give you the rights to ensure a smoother travel experience.
When you book a flight, you have the right to indicate your need for special services, either online or over the phone. When the list of options appears, select “Hearing Impaired.” This will start the process of informing the airline of your needs, both before and during the flight. Not only will your name be listed on the passenger manifest, but gate agents and flight attendants will also be notified.
You have the right to request a disabled seat and priority boarding. This usually means a seat closer to the front of the aircraft, where you will have priority boarding and a clear view of the cabin crew, so you can better understand the in-flight announcements. Because airlines want to sell these seats at the Economy Comfort price, online booking sites may not state that these seats are available. Still, be sure to ask. If the seat is available, it should be offered at no extra charge. Disabled seating is intended for all disability groups, not just those with mobility issues.
You have the right to be able to communicate with airline staff on the same level as other passengers. Once you have self-identified to the airline that you are hearing impaired, you can make certain requests to ensure you receive all important information. For example, you can ask to receive pre-boarding notifications, in-flight safety announcements such as turbulence, and notifications of gate changes and delayed arrivals directly to you.
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