We’re inching closer to summer every day. For many of us, that means getting closer to heading out on a summer holiday. Whether you’re planning a trip overseas or flying just a couple of hours away, if you are taking a flight to reach your destination, you may feel a little apprehensive about dealing with the hustle and bustle of airports.
With their large crowds and ample background noise, airports can be a tricky environment to navigate, particularly if you have hearing loss.
The good news is that there are several tips to make your next visit to Portland International Airport (PDX) a smooth one.
Treat Your Hearing Loss Before Traveling 
If you’ve been hesitant to get a hearing test, use your upcoming trip as motivation!
The number one thing you can do to make navigating airports easier is to treat your hearing loss. The most common form of treatment for hearing loss is hearing aids. They are an effective and essential tool that makes it easier to listen in any environment, which is why 7.1% of people aged 45 and over use a hearing aid.
Hearing Tips For Your Next Airport Visit
- Bring necessary hearing devices and accessories. Make a checklist of everything you might need, hearing-wise, either at the airport or during your travels. This can include your hearing aids, their case, extra batteries or your charger, as well as cleaning tools like a soft, dry cloth or a hearing aid cleaning kit. This will give you peace of mind that you have what you need before heading to the airport.
- Wear your hearing aids through security. There’s no need to take your hearing aids out while going through security, and in fact, keeping them in will make it easier to understand and follow any instructions TSA agents have for you. It still might be a good idea to let them know you are wearing them, though.
- Connect to available hearing loops. If your hearing aids have telecoils, you can connect to hearing loop systems, which are found in many airports and other public transportation areas. They allow you to stream messages directly from the airport’s public address system into your hearing aids. This ensures you don’t miss announcements about gate changes, flight delays or other vital travel information.
- Let gate and flight attendants know about your hearing loss. Once you reach your gate, it can be helpful to speak with a gate attendant about your hearing loss. You can ask that they reach out to you directly when it’s time to board and keep you apprised of any other announcements. You can do the same with a flight attendant once you board the plane so that they know to inform you directly of important safety or travel announcements.
For more information on traveling with hearing loss or to schedule an appointment, contact PDX ENT today.
