Cruises are a great way to travel, offering fantastic on-ship entertainment as well as the opportunity to explore new places. They’re especially great for people who wear hearing aids! Accommodations are widely available, the crew is present to help with anything you need and your hearing aids can help you hear the relaxing sound of the wind and the waves. If you have a cruise trip planned, here’s a list of some things to keep in mind as you prepare.
Check Out Accommodations When You Book
Cruise lines have ample accommodation and accessibility options. When you book your cruise, confirm which accommodations are available with each cruise line and choose the one that best meets your needs.
Also, check what options are available for the on-ship entertainment. They may use FM systems, infrared systems or hearing loops to transmit sound directly to anyone in the audience with hearing aids. You won’t miss anything the musicians or performers say.
Don’t be afraid to call the cruise line to confirm or request anything specific; many cruise lines have dedicated accessibility departments for just this purpose. Some potential accommodations you can request include:
- Visual emergency alert systems (e.g., fire alarm) for your cabin
- Visual-tactile alert systems for the telephone, alarm clock or door if someone is knocking
- Closed captioning on televisions and screens
- Assistive listening devices (ALDs)
- Priority or reserved seating in busy areas (e.g., dining rooms) so you can be seated somewhere quiet without a lot of background noise
- Sign language interpretation
Packing List
Once you’ve made the reservation and requested your accommodations, it’s time to pack. Don’t forget any of the essentials:
- Extra batteries or charge cord
- Power adapter if travelling internationally
- Hearing aid case
- Full cleaning kit
- Hearing aid dehumidifier
- Hearing aid sleeves or covers
Stay on Top of Your Cleaning Regimen
Sometimes it’s easy to slip on our regular routines when we’re on vacation, but don’t let that happen with your nightly hearing aid cleaning routine. Between sleeping in a new environment, visiting beaches and ports off-ship and the exposure to moisture and humidity, staying on top of your cleaning regimen is paramount to your hearing aids’ health. Make sure you give them a good wipe-down every night before bed.
We put a dehumidifier on the packing list above, and it’s worth emphasizing how important it is to bring one. Water is a major hazard for hearing aids, and cruise ships come with plenty of exposure to water, including the pool, beaches and humid weather.
Bon Voyage!
We at M.K. Larson Audiology want you to have an enjoyable, relaxing cruise vacation and experience all the wonderful sounds available on your trip. If you need to get your hearing aids tuned up before you go, make sure to schedule an appointment with us. Have a wonderful trip, and don’t forget your sunscreen!
