A traveler’s guide to hearing health on the go

Each year as the days get longer and warmer, Americans gear up for one of life’s great joys; summer travel. But for the 48 million Americans who are living with hearing loss, getting from here to there can carry an extra layer of complexity – from navigating a noisy terminal to  ensuring your hearing aids capture moments that matter at the beach. Thankfully, with a little preparation, none of it has to slow you down. Here’s how.

Before you leave: Get travel-ready

It’s never a bad idea to schedule a quick visit with your hearing care provider before any major trip. A pre-travel checkup confirms your devices are working correctly and your settings are right for the environments you’ll encounter. Ask about the telecoil (T-coil) settings your device may have, which connects them directly to systems found in many airports, theaters, and transit hubs worldwide and allows you to hear audio directly from the source (for example, announcements that go out over an airports’ loudspeaker system). 

Remember to pack for any unexpected delays. This means taking at least twice the batteries or charging supplies you think you’ll need. Bring a hard-shell protective case, your cleaning kit, a travel dehumidifier, and a copy of your hearing aid prescription in case you need assistance on the road. Rechargeable users: keep your lithium-ion charger in your carry-on bag, not checked luggage, to protect against cargo hold temperature extremes.

At the airport: What to know before you screen 

Many travelers don’t know that you are not required to remove your hearing aids at security checkpoints¹ . Modern devices are safe to wear through metal detectors, body scanners, and other common scanning devices found at airports. Tell the TSA officer you’re wearing them before screening begins. If you’d rather not go through the scanner, you have the right to request a visual inspection or pat-down instead. 

If you’re deaf or hard of hearing and need communication support, you can ask for a “TSA Passenger Support Specialist”—these officers are specially trained to assist travelers with disabilities. You can even reserve one in advance online. Enrolling in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry is also worth considering as dedicated lanes are lower-stress and typically move faster.

Once you’re through security: keep your hearing aids on during your flight. They’re exempt from in-flight electronics restrictions and are exactly what you need to catch gate changes, boarding announcements, and anything the flight attendant says. 

Protecting your devices and knowing your rights

Moisture is one of the top threats to hearing aids while traveling. If you have a dehumidifier try to use it nightly, keep devices away from hot cars and direct sun, and remove them before swimming or extended water exposure. In colder climates, carry spare batteries inside a jacket pocket—cold drains power faster than you’d expect. 

What many travelers don’t know: you have legal protections that can help keep you safer and stress-free while you’re away from home. The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) requires airlines to make gate and in-flight information accessible to passengers with hearing loss after self-identification.² Hotels covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must provide hearing-accessible rooms with visual fire alarms, door and phone notification devices, and closed captioning—when available—at no extra charge.³ Always ask when you book. 

When communication gets hard in the moment (things like crowded restaurants, busy tour groups, and noisy terminals) don’t hesitate to ask people to face you when they speak, or to slow down and repeat themselves. Speech-to-text apps like Google Live Transcribe can also help fill in the gaps during one-on-one conversations. A quick heads-up to your travel companions before the trip goes a long way, too; people who know about your hearing loss can naturally support you without calling attention to it in the moment. And don’t underestimate the value of an aisle seat on flights: it makes it easier to communicate with flight attendants and get their attention when you need it.

Your hearing health travel checklist

Before you go:

• Schedule a pre-trip checkup with your hearing care provider
• Confirm T-coil settings are activated (if your devices support it)
• Brief your travel companions on your hearing needs
• Request a hearing-accessible hotel room when booking

What to pack:

• Extra batteries or charging cable and case (pack at least double your expected need)
• Hard-shell protective carrying case
• Cleaning kit (brush, wax guards, specialized tools)
• Travel-size dehumidifier or drying kit
• Replacement domes or ear molds
• Copy of your hearing aid prescription and provider contact information
• Backup hearing aids, if available

At the airport:

• Keep hearing aids on through security — you are not required to remove them
• Inform TSA officers you’re wearing hearing aids before screening begins
• Keep lithium-ion chargers in your carry-on bag, not checked luggage
• Keep hearing aids on during your flight — they’re exempt from in-flight electronics rules

Once you’re at your destination:

• Find the Miracle Ear store closest to you. We’re here for you wherever you’re at home or traveling with experts at over 1,600 locations nationwide. 

The Gift of Sound: Helping people hear the world

Hearing aids give people the ability to be fully present in their lives—including while in motion. They make it possible to hear the tour guide’s joke, catch a grandchild’s excitement on their first flight, and feel connected to the world around them. Travel is one of the experiences that better hearing makes richer, but for millions of Americans, cost is the barrier that stands between them and that experience.

The Miracle-Ear Foundation’s Gift of Sound^® program provides hearing aids, fittings, and follow-up care at no cost to individuals who qualify. Since 1990, the Foundation has served more than 31,000 people across the United States. To apply, visit miracle-earfoundation.org/gift-of-sound. 

You can help someone rediscover the joy of sound and of travel by donating to the Gift of Sound program today. Know someone who struggles to afford hearing care? Share this resource and help connect them to the support they deserve. 

References

1. TSA. (2026). Disabilities and Medical Conditions. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/tsa-cares/disabilities-and-medical-conditions
2. U.S. Department of Transportation. (2026). About the Air Carrier Access Act. https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/passengers-disabilities
3. Accessibility Checker. (2024). ADA Requirements for Hotels, Motels, Lodging Facilities: Standards and Compliance. https://www.accessibilitychecker.org/blog/ada-requirements-for-hotels/