Living Well With Hearing Loss

Travel-Ready Hearing: Holiday Road Trips & Flights with Confidence

Posted on by admin
14
Nov

Travel-Ready Hearing: Holiday Road Trips & Flights with Confidence

Whether you’re driving up Route 17 to family dinner or flying out of Stewart, the holidays are louder, busier, and more distracting than usual. Here’s a simple, practical guide to keep your hearing—and your hearing aids—running smoothly from takeoff to touchdown (and every rest stop in between).

 

Before you go: a 10-minute prep checklist

  • Clean & check: Wipe mics/ports, replace wax guards, and run a quick listening check.

  • Charge & pack: Fully charge devices and cases; pack your charger, extra domes, wax guards, drying kit, and a small power bank.

  • Programs ready: Ask us to add/rename programs you’ll use (e.g., Restaurant, Road Noise, Airplane).

  • Phone pairing test: Verify Bluetooth connections for calls, music, and TV streaming.

  • Medication & ear care: Pack any ear drops, plus a few disposable earplugs for sudden noise (parades, pep rallies, airplane takeoff).

Local tip: Swing by Lawrence Hearing for a free pre-trip clean & check—we’ll confirm fit, run a quick test, and make sure your travel programs are ready.

 

 

Driving the Hudson Valley: road-noise game plan

  • Seat smart: If speech clarity matters, the passenger rides up front (closer mic distance).

  • Hands-free calls: Use your hearing aids as your headset; keep volume moderate to avoid fatigue.

  • Wind & tires: Close windows on highways; all-season tires or rough pavement add constant low-frequency noise—bump your Road Noise program if you have one.

  • Quiet breaks: Every 90 minutes, give your ears a short, silent reset.

Local tip: Rest stops along I-84 and the Quickway (NY-17) can be loud—carry those lightweight earplugs for a fast in-and-out.

 

 

Flying from Stewart (or beyond): security & comfort, step by step

  • TSA screening: You can keep your hearing aids in. Tell the officer you’re wearing them; place chargers and accessories in the bin.

  • Boarding: Switch to your Airplane or Noise program before takeoff; consider earplugs or over-ear liners during the loudest phases.

  • Cabin chatter: Directional settings help in the terminal; on board, look at the speaker and reduce background audio to limit fatigue.

  • Moisture & temperature: Keep devices on you—not in a cold/soggy checked bag. Use your drying kit overnight at your destination.

Local tip: If you connect through larger hubs (EWR/JFK), crowds + announcements can be overwhelming. A single tap of Edge Mode+ (Omega AI) can give you instant speech focus at the gate.

 

 

Streaming on the go: calls, TV & music made easy

  • My Starkey app (Omega AI): Adjust volume, change programs, find your devices, and request quick tweaks.

  • TV on the road: Pack a small TV streamer or stream from your phone/tablet for late-night movies without blasting hotel speakers.

  • Battery life: Omega AI’s rechargeable options can cover long travel days; still pack a power bank for security lines and delays.

 

 

Holiday gatherings: hear the people, not the clatter

  • Choose your seat: Face the room, back to a wall, away from the kitchen/TV.

  • One-tap help: In sudden noise, tap Edge Mode+ to pull the voice you want into focus.

  • Group cues: Ask for one-at-a-time conversation during toasts or prayer—simple etiquette keeps everyone included.

  • Pace yourself: After big meals, step into a quieter room for five minutes—your brain (and ears) will thank you.

 

Need a quick tune-up before you go?

Stop by Lawrence Hearing for a free pre-holiday travel check: clean & check, program naming (Airplane/Road Noise/Restaurant), and a fast app refresher—so your trip sounds as good as it feels.

📞 (845) 343-7708
📍 Middletown & Warwick, NY

Local care. Smarter sound. Come hear the difference.