Essential Tips for Hassle-Free Travel With Cochlear Implants

Before Leaving

Traveling requires careful planning, and this is especially true for individuals with cochlear implants and other hearing implants. Here’s what to consider before you embark on your travel adventure.

Communicate With Your Audiologist and MED-EL Team

• Schedule an appointment with your audiologist to ensure your hearing implant is functioning optimally. They can perform any necessary tests, fine-tune your device, and, depending on your country, may be able to provide you with a backup kit of essential accessories such as spare batteries, cleaning tools, and spare parts. And ask them for advice regarding precautions and recommendations specific to your vacation destination.
• In addition to having the contact details of your local MED-EL representative, find out the contact information of a representative at your vacation destination for emergencies.

Pack Audio Processor Accessories

• Keep your audio processor equipment and accessories in your carry-on luggage to ensure their safety and accessibility. This includes spare batteries, charging cables, and a dry and secure storage container for your device when it is not in use.
• Be sure to pack plenty of batteries!  Whether you are using disposable or rechargeable batteries, plan well and pack enough batteries to last you until you get home, or pack your charger if you are using rechargeable batteries.
• Especially if you are traveling somewhere damp and humid, you will need to pack your drying kit and some spare microphone covers so your processors stay in good working order.
• If swimming, spending time at the beach, or any other water-related activities are part of your travel plans, make sure to pack your WaterWear.
• If you’re traveling internationally, don’t forget to bring along the appropriate power converters—or bring enough disposable batteries to last for your entire trip.
• Don’t forget to pack your cleaning supplies, like a small towel for wiping down your processors and a brush for the microphone.
• Last but not least, pack your Patient ID Card for emergencies.

At the Airport

These tips will help if you’re traveling by plane (or have to go through security checks anywhere else).

Use Telecoil

Look for the telecoil symbol wherever you go. You can find these at airports, travel terminals, and hotel desks. This sign means that the area is fitted with a hearing loop. This will make it easier for you to hear your conversation with the agent or hear travel update announcements.

Check-in and Security

• When you’re checking in at the airport, let the ticketing agent know that you have hearing implants so they can include this information in your traveler’s profile.
• As the cochlear implant may trigger a metal detector, make sure to additionally inform airport security staff about your implant and audio processor and show your MED-EL ID card, if necessary.
• Metal detectors and other RF transmitters may produce sounds only heard by the implant user if they are near these devices. To avoid this, take off your audio processors or switch them off before you pass through the security check. If an audio processor map becomes corrupted by a scanner—which is very unlikely—it can easily be reprogrammed at the CI center or by a clinical engineer.

Flying With a Cochlear Implant

• If you are traveling alone, let your flight attendant know that you have hearing loss. If there is an emergency, they will know you might not hear everything on the overhead speakers.
• To determine if your audio processor needs to be put in flight mode, check the policy of the airline you’re flying with. Here’s how to activate flight mode for RONDO 3, SONNET 2, and SONNET 3.
• If you have a SAMBA 2 audio processor for your BONEBRIDGE bone conduction implant or VIBRANT SOUNDBRIDGE middle ear implant, you do NOT need to put it into flight mode whenever you travel by airplane.

What to Consider on Vacation

Here are a few tips that can help you enjoy your vacation destination even more.

Inform Hotel Staff About Your Hearing Implant

• When you’re checking in, let the front desk know that you have hearing loss—and how you would like to be contacted in case of an emergency. Hotel staff might offer to contact you by text message, phone call, or a personal visit.

Protect Your Audio Processor

• If you have a magnetic key card to get into your hotel room, keep it away from your audio processor—your audio processor’s coil magnet may demagnetize the key.
• If you go diving, keep in mind that our implants are designed with a maximum diving depth of 50 meters without external processors.
• Don’t forget to change the batteries or charge your audio processors when necessary and clean and dry your audio processors regularly.

Use Assistive Listening Devices

• Explore the availability of assistive listening devices at tourist attractions, theaters, and museums. These devices can enhance your listening experience and ensure you don’t miss out on important information or audio content.

And most importantly, have fun! With these tips, you’ll be ready for a vacation full of new experiences and sounds.