Tips for Flying With Hearing Aids

The Short Answer: Keep Them In

Your hearing aids can stay in your ears through every part of the airport and flight experience. TSA security, takeoff, landing, cruising altitude, all of it. They won't interfere with the aircraft's navigation or communication systems, and they're exempt from the electronic device rules that apply to phones and tablets.

In fact, keeping them in is the safest move. You need to hear safety announcements, crew instructions, and what's happening around you.

TSA Security: What to Expect

Getting through airport security with hearing aids is straightforward, but there are a few things to know:

• Keep your hearing aids in your ears when walking through the metal detector or body scanner. They're allowed through both.
• Metal detectors and body scanners won't damage your hearing aids. Modern hearing aids are designed to withstand these screening methods.
• Do NOT place hearing aids in the X-ray bin. The conveyor belt can generate static electricity that may damage the electronics. This is the one thing you really need to remember.
• Tell the TSA officer you're wearing hearing aids, especially if you might not hear their instructions clearly. They'll accommodate you.
• TSA may swab your hearing aids for explosive residue. This is quick and harmless.
• Call TSA Cares at 855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before your flight if you want extra assistance at security.

Batteries and Charging

Battery management is the biggest practical concern for hearing aid users who fly. Here's the breakdown:

Disposable Batteries (Zinc-Air)

• Pack extras in your carry-on, not checked luggage. TSA has no restrictions on hearing aid batteries.
• Bring more than you think you'll need. Travel delays happen, and you don't want dead hearing aids in a foreign airport.
• Keep spare batteries in their original packaging or a battery case. Loose batteries in a bag can short-circuit if they touch metal objects like coins or keys.
• Altitude and pressure changes don't affect zinc-air battery performance.

Rechargeable Hearing Aids

• Pack your charger in your carry-on bag. Lithium-ion batteries and their chargers should always go in carry-on luggage, per TSA rules.
• Charge fully before heading to the airport. A full charge on most rechargeable hearing aids lasts 16-24 hours.
• Bring a portable power bank if your charger plugs into USB. Not all flights have outlets, and long travel days can drain your batteries.
• If traveling internationally, check voltage compatibility for your charger and bring the right adapter.

Bluetooth and Airplane Mode

Here's where it gets a little nuanced. Many modern hearing aids connect to smartphones via Bluetooth for streaming calls, music, and adjustments through an app.

• Your hearing aids themselves don't need airplane mode. They're classified as medical devices, not consumer electronics. The Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signal they use is extremely weak and doesn't interfere with aircraft systems.
• However, if your hearing aids are connected to a phone or tablet, that device needs to go into airplane mode during the flight. When your phone goes into airplane mode, the Bluetooth connection to your hearing aids will typically disconnect.
• Workaround: On most phones, you can turn Bluetooth back on after enabling airplane mode. This lets you maintain the hearing aid connection while complying with airline rules. The phone's cellular and Wi-Fi radios stay off, but Bluetooth reconnects.

During the Flight

Hearing Announcements

This is the biggest challenge for hearing aid users on planes. Even with hearing aids in, PA announcements can be garbled by engine noise, poor speaker quality, and background chatter.

• Tell the flight attendants you have hearing loss when you board. Ask them to come to your seat for important announcements like safety information, delay updates, and landing instructions.
• Use your hearing aid's directional microphone setting if you have one. It'll focus on the speaker closest to you and reduce background noise.
• Sit closer to the front. You'll be nearer to the PA speakers and the crew, and engine noise is typically lower.
• Read the safety card. Don't rely solely on hearing the safety demonstration. Follow along with the card in the seat pocket.

Pressure Changes and Comfort

• Hearing aids don't cause ear pressure problems during takeoff or landing. Any pressure you feel is from the normal cabin pressure changes affecting your inner ear, not the devices.
• If you have a telecoil (T-coil) setting, try it during the flight. Some aircraft PA systems are compatible with hearing loop technology, though this is still uncommon on most airlines.
• Background engine noise can cause hearing aids to amplify the wrong sounds. Switch to a noise-reduction program if your aids have one, or manually lower the volume.

Protecting Your Hearing Aids While Traveling

• Use a dehumidifier every night. Hotel rooms, humidity at your destination, and the dry-then-humid cycle of air travel can build up moisture in your devices. A portable hearing aid dehumidifier (or even a jar of silica gel packets) removes moisture that can damage electronics.
• Carry a hard-shell case. When your hearing aids aren't in your ears, store them in a protective case, not loose in your pocket or bag.
• Bring a cleaning kit. Wax guards, a brush, and a soft cloth take up almost no space and keep your aids functioning well on the road.
• Keep your audiologist's contact info handy. If something goes wrong while traveling, you may need remote adjustment help or to find a local provider.

Cochlear Implants

If you have a cochlear implant rather than a traditional hearing aid, the rules are similar with a few additions:

• Cochlear implants are safe through metal detectors, but you should avoid the full-body scanner. Request a pat-down instead, as some cochlear implant manufacturers recommend against scanner exposure.
• Carry your cochlear implant ID card and manufacturer documentation.
• The external processor follows the same rules as hearing aids: keep it on, keep spare batteries in your carry-on.

International Travel

• Carry extra batteries. The specific battery size for your hearing aids may not be available everywhere.
• Bring a voltage adapter for your charger if traveling outside your home country.
• Download your hearing aid app's language settings before you go, since some apps need connectivity to switch languages.
• Consider a hearing aid card in the local language of your destination that explains your hearing loss. Several hearing aid manufacturers offer downloadable travel cards.

FAQs

Do I have to remove my hearing aids for airport security?

No. Keep them in your ears when going through the metal detector or body scanner. Both screening methods are safe for hearing aids. The one thing you should avoid is placing them in the X-ray bin, as the conveyor belt can generate static electricity that may damage the devices.

Will the cabin pressure changes on a plane damage my hearing aids?

No. Hearing aids are designed to function normally at altitude. Cabin pressure changes affect your ears (you might feel popping or fullness), but they won't harm the devices. Swallowing, yawning, or chewing gum helps equalize your ear pressure, just like for anyone else.

Can I stream audio from the in-flight entertainment to my hearing aids?

It depends on your hearing aids and the airline's system. If your hearing aids have Bluetooth and the entertainment system supports Bluetooth audio, you may be able to connect directly. Otherwise, you can use a Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into the headphone jack and streams to your hearing aids. Some travelers carry a small Bluetooth adapter specifically for this purpose.

What if my hearing aids stop working during the flight?

This is why carrying spare batteries is critical. If the issue isn't battery-related, try the basics: check for wax buildup, make sure the device is dry, and restart it. Let the flight attendant know about your hearing loss so they can relay important information directly. Having the airline's app on your phone can also provide text-based flight updates.

Should I get travel insurance that covers my hearing aids?

Yes, especially for expensive devices. Standard travel insurance often doesn't cover hearing aids, or caps the value far below what they cost. Check your policy's electronics or medical device coverage. Some hearing aid manufacturers offer their own loss and damage protection plans that include travel coverage.