Travel can be a stressful experience for anyone. For someone with a hearing loss, the difficulties of making reservations, hearing airplane or train boarding announcements, and using regular telephones can make travel especially stressful. We hope these suggestions make traveling more enjoyable for you.

Making reservations

Try to make advance reservations whenever possible. When making reservations by phone, use an amplified telephone if at all possible.

Let the reservation agent know that you have a hearing loss. Repeat the information so the agent can confirm your arrangements. Also ask for written confirmation to be mailed or faxed to you.

If the telephone is too difficult, you can make your travel arrangements in person with a travel agent. Another strategy is to make your own travel arrangements though the Internet. If your are comfortable using a computer and have the time, you can shop for hotel and airline information and make reservations while “on-line.”

When traveling

Don't panic if you find it nearly impossible to understand the announcements at bus, train or airline terminals. Even people with excellent hearing often find it difficult to understand public announcements in these settings. (Wouldn't it be nice if people who made public announcements had training in public speaking so we could actually understand them?)

Airports, bus and train terminals usually have displays of route numbers, destinations and gate numbers throughout the terminal. Check the posted information for gate and departure times. After boarding, confirm with an attendant that you are on the correct flight or train.

Public telephones

More telephones with built-in amplifiers are available today in places like train terminals and airports. Still, it's a good idea to carry a portable amplifier so you can use any telephone. Most public telephones are also hearing aid compatible (for those who have a telephone switch on their hearing aids).

Accommodations

With the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, more hotels provide assistance to people with hearing loss. This assistance may include in-room amplified telephones and alerting devices for smile and fire alarms.

Hotel televisions may have built-in captioning that can be activated. However, you may want to carry your own assistive devices since you will be more familiar with them.

Finally, be sure to let the front desk receptionist know that you have a hearing loss in case of emergency.

Your hearing aids

Be sure to carry plenty of batteries; the batteries won't go bad if kept in their original container and it will save you the trouble of shopping for batteries while traveling. Bring along a dri-aid kit or another durable container to protect your hearing aids.

Finally, consider carrying a spare hearing aid during your trip. You'll have a backup in case of loss or malfunction, plus carrying a spare will relieve you of the anxious worry, “What will I do if one of my aids stops working?”

We hope these tips make traveling more enjoyable and bon voyage!

— Andrew Waits