What You Should Know About Flying with Hearing Aids
Is it okay to fly with hearing aids? Can my hearing aids handle the pressure changes? Do I have to remove my hearing aids during the security check? You can find the answers to these questions and more useful information here.
After months of work, your first day of vacation has finally arrived. A pleasant sense of excitement washes over you. You set out for the airport very early and are now standing at the check-in counter with your suitcase. With a determined stride, you head toward security. But that’s when the first question pops into your mind: Do hearing aids set off the alarm, and do you have to take them off?
You can leave your hearing aids in your ears without any worries. Under normal circumstances, they shouldn’t set off the alarm. But you can let the security staff know about your hearing situation; this may also make it easier for both of you to understand each other. Another reassuring fact: The security scanners have no harmful effect on your hearing aids.
The noise-canceling technology in modern hearing aids also allows you to understand announcements even in noisy environments and participate in conversations with your travel companions. Therefore, it’s essential to keep your hearing aids in your ears throughout the trip.
Hearing Aids on the Plane: In or Out?
After security, boarding begins, and you’ll want to get as comfortable as possible on the plane. You don’t need to remove or turn off your hearing aids. Only if you wear hearing aids that transmit radio signals do you need to set them to airplane mode—as is now the case with all modern high-tech devices.
It’s also not necessary to remove your hearing aids from your ears to equalize pressure during ascent or descent. Some models can even counteract the pressure on your ear canal. To help equalize the pressure, you should yawn vigorously several times, swallow frequently, chew gum, or suck on a piece of candy. There is one exception: If you find it more comfortable without your hearing aids, you can remove them for the brief duration of the ascent and descent.
During the flight, however, they should be turned on and in your ears so that you can hear any important announcements and instructions. By the way, be sure to pack a sufficient supply of spare batteries for your hearing aids in your carry-on luggage. That way, nothing can go wrong on your trip—at least as far as your ears and hearing aids are concerned.
You can also find more information in our articles “Traveling with Hearing Aids” and “Off on Vacation.”
