Preparing for a vacation can be exciting and exhausting.  Vacations are fun, they take people to new places with new experiences, people, food and for some, a renewed mind.  Over 60% of brave vacationers say they feel more relaxed after a vacation which means they are more than likely to do it again. However, prior to a vacation it can be a stressful time as people worry about car rentals, hotels, packing and remembering to bring all the necessary things such as a hearing aid.

Hearing aids are interesting little gadgets.  They help those who are hard of hearing to connect more with the world around them but they also connect with the world in their own way.  Since hearing aids tend to amplify sounds no matter what the sound, some noisy modes of transportation can be bothersome to the user.  Subways can amplify sounds to the point where most people will wear some sort of ear protection or buffer against it.  It is highly recommended that hearing aid users make proper adjustments or take proper steps to protect their ears.  Headphones that go over the ears are a common item used to dampen the sounds of loud noises.

Airplanes can also cause strain on the ear as they tend to be, on average, 10 decibels over what is considered a comfortable range.  Over ear headphones are a great tool in these types of environments as well but do not sell the flight attendants short.  Flight attendants are trained for all sorts of situations including ones where they find themselves in the service of a guest who is hard of hearing.  They will happily assist with any needs they are made aware of in a professional, polite and effective manner.

After reaching the coveted vacation spot, there is still the environment to consider.  The most popular vacation spot is the beach which means that hearing aids will be exposed to plenty of water and sand.  While regular nightly maintenance should still be performed, be sure to bring up the new and unusual environments the hearing aid might be exposed to with an audiologist so they can provide guidelines on how best to keep that hearing aid clean and functioning properly.

During the day, ears can still be exposed to all sorts of hazards.  For sunny climates, sunburn is a possibility and a small amount of sunscreen on the ears is best.  For colder climates, earmuffs are recommended to keep ears warm and prevent exostosis which is when bones grow inside the inner ear.  Whether it be skiing or surfing, be sure to take the extra time to learn the facts and reduce vacation time stress by keeping those ears clean, safe and healthy.

Please schedule your hearing assessment checkup with Southern Nevada Audiology in Las Vegas today!  Learn more about the advancements in modern hearing aids.