Summer is here, and that means it’s vacation time! When traveling, many of us opt to rent a home or apartment as opposed to staying in a hotel. If you have hearing loss, there are a few extra steps you should take to make sure your home rental goes smoothly, and you can enjoy your vacation whether you’re flying to a different country or simply spending the week relaxing and playing golf at Hilton Head Island.
Inform Your Host About Your Hearing Loss 
When renting a vacation home, good communication with your host is essential to having the best experience, and that’s especially true if you have hearing loss. You can ask about any specific accommodations you require and ensure that the property meets your needs before traveling.
Check The Reviews of The Property
Reading reviews can offer more insight into whether this property is a good fit for you. You can see what others say about the accommodations, how responsive the host is and get a sense of the neighborhood that you are staying in. It might be helpful to stay in a quieter rental space if you have hearing loss so that you won’t have to deal with as much distracting background noise.
Bring Your Hearing Accessories
Before you hop in your car or fly out of Charleston International Airport, make a list of all your hearing accessories that you need to bring, including:
- Hearings aid
- A waterproof case
- Batteries or your charger
- Tools to clean your hearing aids
Check The Accessibility Features
Certain websites, like Airbnb, have added accessibility features that can help people with hearing loss find what properties and hosts may best meet their needs. Some filters include whether a host knows sign language or if the home has a quiet retreat place.
Should You Get Your Hearing Checked This Summer?
Have you been noticing changes in your hearing? If so, you’re not alone. Statistics from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) tell us that “one in eight people in the United States aged 12 years or older has hearing loss in both ears.”
If you have been struggling to follow conversations or need to turn up the TV or radio louder than usual, schedule an appointment for a hearing test. If you have hearing loss, you and your audiologist will work together to find the right pair of hearing aids or other treatments to best meet your needs.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Charleston ENT & Allergy today.