Tourism and Hearing Loss
Features to facilitate your travels
But language, getting around, and safety precautions are also important. Hearing aid wearers will be pleased to know that there are some new features to make their lives easier when going on adventures in foreign lands!
Instant Translation
This feature translates what’s being said into text in the language of your choice on your smartphone—in real time! The translation is sent directly into your hearing aids to help you converse despite the language barrier.
Geolocation
Once installed on your smartphone, the geolocation system can track hearing aids based on their latest connection data. This helps you find them quickly if you misplace them.
Reminders
Set scheduled alarms on your phone so you don’t forget anything, whether that’s taking medication, leaving for the airport, or doing important tasks. The alarm can go off right in your hearing aids.
Sound Adjustment
Hearing aids can be adjusted by your audioprosthetist to emphasize people’s speech and slightly lower background noise. This helps you understand better when you’re having a conversation in a noisy place.
In addition to the technological advances designed to give people with hearing loss peace of mind, you can use some of these communication strategies to make sharing and understanding important information easier.
Face the speaker to better understand what they are saying and read their lips if nescessary.
Ask people to speak slower, no matter if it's in your native language or a foreign language.
Ask questions to clarify the topic or to make sure you correctly understood what was said.
When possible, ask people to speak one at a time.
Do not hesitate to inform people that you have a hearing loss in public places in order to facilitate communication.
Sign up for airport text message alerts to be notified of any flight changes or other important messages on your smartphone.
Good to Know!
According to the website of the Government of Canada, hearing aids are authorized medical devices at security checkpoints. That means you don’t need to remove them when going through security.
Safe travels
Caroll-Ann Marois-Lowe Specialized educator practicing in Pont-Rouge
References :
Tips and warnings for travelling with hearing aids. (August 8, 2022). Starkey | Find the Best Hearing Aid for You. https://www.starkeycanada.ca/blog/articles/2022/08/tips-and-warnings-for-traveling-with-hearingaids? sc_lang=en-CA
AI Powered Hearing Aids | Starkey Livio Edge AI. (n.d.). Starkey | Find the Best Hearing Aid for You. https://www.starkeycanada.ca/hearing-aids/livio-edge-artificial-intelligence-hearing-aids?sc_lang=en-CA
Thrive Hearing Control App User Guide. (2020). https://home.starkeypro.com/. https://cdn.mediavalet.com/usil/starkeyhearingtech/ObHzu9QgM02pnGeuQJQzlA/ZvNjhQtwJEac0LTvuDcMIA/Original/Thrive_Hearing_Control_App_User_Guide.pdf
Travelling with a medical device – Travel.gc.ca. (n.d.). Travel.gc.ca. https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/healthsafety/ medical-device?_ga=2.92066394.1176616860.1670652980-1670928301.1670652979
SMS Alerts. (n.d.). https://www.admtl.com/en/flights/sms-service
Don't forget !
An assessment by an audioprosthetist is required to determine which hearing aid suits the patient’s needs.