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Travelling with a CI

Summer’s almost here - at least for the Northern Hemisphere! If you’re secretly counting down to your holidays … and if you have a cochlear implant. These tips might help you prepare for stress-free hearing when you’re travelling. And personally, I think it’s nice to prepare – especially when it’s a holiday I’m preparing for.

 

When making reservations

Some places have “Accessible” rooms options. Accessible rooms have been designed for people with hearing loss, poor eyesight etc. They include features such as visual alarms, specialised telephones, or doorbells that flash the room’s lights.

 

When packing

When packing Keep everything important as close to you as is possible. This means batteries, chargers, drying system, accessories, back-ups. If these things are in your carry-ons/hand baggage, you won’t lose your hearing if you lose your luggage.

If travelling internationally, bring along the appropriate power converters—or bring enough disposable batteries to last for your trip; seeing as there might not be any at your destination.

Have the contact information for Oticon Medical so you can find it. Print out a copy of your audio processor’s map, or bring a digital version along on a USB stick.

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When Traveling

If you need to go through security checks let the ticketing agent know that you have a hearing loss and use a hearing implant or hearing aid when you’re checking in,. Many people don’t know about cochlear implants, so you can’t assume that they’ll be able to guess. When you tell them, they can to include on your traveller’s profile.

Make sure to keep your cochlear implant identification card in your wallet. You can walk through the metal detector with or without processors. Either way let the security staff know that you have cochlear implants because they might set off the detector. If you choose to remove the processors, inform the staff that you won’t be able to hear anything when you’re not wearing your processors.

If you are travelling alone, let your flight attendant know that you have a hearing loss and that you might not hear everything on the overhead speakers. This way, they can get emergency information to you. You can wear your cochlear implants during the entire duration of the flight. You do not need to turn off your audio processors during take-off or landing.

 

Cochlear implants, and hearing aids, in general, do not interfere with navigational systems.

 

…. And then it’s time for some serious holidaying

 

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Tips to help you enjoy your destination once arrived

When checking in, tell the front desk you have a hearing loss—and how you would like to be contacted in case of an emergency.

If you’re travelling with others, consider sharing a room key with them. This way they could come to you, should anything unexpected come up.

If you have a magnetic key card to get into your room, keep it away from your processor. Just like with credit cards, your audio processor’s coil magnet may demagnetize the key card.

And finally: Do not forget to take off your processor before jumping in the pool or the ocean. Safe travels and happy holidays