Summer is almost here and for many families, that means it’s holiday time! We understand that going away for the first time with a bone anchored hearing aid can feel a little daunting, that’s why we’ve put together this blog full of tips and advice for travelling with a BAHA to help make sure your upcoming holiday goes smoothly.
What to Pack When Going on Holiday With a BAHA
Step one is knowing what to take with you. Of course, you’ll already be wearing your hearing aid processor and headband but don’t forget to pack your accessories and spares.
Here are some suggestions for things you might want to consider bringing with you:
- Extra batteries
- A charger
- International plug adapters
- An extension cable
- A hearing aid care kit for cleaning and maintaining your BAHA while you’re away from home
- A drying jar
- A storage case
- Spare headband/s in case yours gets wet, dirty or lost
- A backup processor in case your processor gets lost or damaged or stops working during your trip
You may also want to take a patient identification card or a letter from your hospital or audiology team explaining how your device works. This can be kept in your hand luggage and handed to airport security or healthcare workers if needed.
It’s a good idea to keep essentials in your hand luggage and pack spares in separate cases in case of lost luggage. You should also make sure that the battery in your processor has enough charge to last for the full journey.
Going Through Airport Security With a Bone Anchored Hearing Aid
There’s no need to remove your hearing aid when going through airport security. The current NHS advice is that the metal detectors and security scanners used in airports shouldn’t damage hearing aids or implants. However, the metal parts in your bone anchored hearing aid may activate the security alarms so it’s a good idea to let airport staff know in advance that you or your child is wearing a hearing aid or has a hearing implant.
Some people prefer to take their processor off when going through security to avoid uncomfortable interference from X-ray scanners, in which case it’s safe to send it through the X-ray screening along with your other carry-on items.
Enjoying Your Holiday With Your BAHA
Once you arrive on your holiday, a few minor tweaks will ensure you have a fantastic time while you’re away.
Sun, Sea and Sand!
If you’re going on a beach holiday, don’t forget to take your BAHA processor off before jumping in the pool or swimming in the sea. Make sure your child knows to keep their BAHA dry when playing around the pool. Some children cope without their hearing aid for periods whereas others wear a swim hat to protect it from splashes around the pool. Either way, you should always remove your BAHA processor before swimming, showering or bathing.
You’ll also want to make sure you clean your processor thoroughly at the end of each day to remove any traces of sand or lotions like sunscreen.
Staying Cool
Bone anchored hearing aids are designed to work in all kinds of climates but you should take care not to leave your processor anywhere it might get too hot as this could affect its function, for example, leaving it on a table outside in full sun or in a hot car.
BAHA sun hats, bucket hats and baseball caps can be used for added sun protection and to help you stay cool on your holiday.
Language Barriers
Travelling in another country can be daunting enough when you don’t speak the language but for D/deaf people it can be doubly so. If you’re worried about being understood, learning some basic phrases whether written, verbal or in the country’s sign language can help you feel more confident during your travels.
If your child wears a bone anchored hearing aid, they might feel overwhelmed at suddenly hearing a completely different language being spoken around them. You can reassure them that language barriers affect everyone and that while communicating in another country can be a challenge, it can also be a fun opportunity to learn something new.
Get In Touch
If you’re off on holiday with your BAHA this summer, we hope these tips have been helpful and that you have a great time!
If you’re looking for BAHA headbands and accessories for your trip, you can view our full range here. Alternatively, if there’s something in particular you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to get in touch and we can work together to create a custom piece just for you.
We’d also be more than happy to talk you through any of our products and how they work so you can be sure that they’re the right option for you. Drop us an email at sales@bahaaccessoriesuk.com or give us a call on 07432 620644. You can also fill out our online contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you!