After years of waiting, many British Columbians are ready to travel once again, hitting the road and taking to the skies to escape our dreary winter.

There鈥檚 a lot of prep that goes into travel, from unearthing your bathing suit to stocking up on prescription medication. And if you wear hearing aids 鈥� or simply live with minor hearing loss 鈥� there are many things you can do to make for an easier journey.

鈥淪o many of our regular clients are heading south right now, and they鈥檙e coming by the clinic to stock up on supplies,鈥� says Kim Galick, owner of in 91原创. 鈥淚t gives me the opportunity to give them other tips about travel, and talk about hearing aid care when the weather is hot.鈥�

3 steps to happy trails and happy ears

1. Before you go: Stock up on hearing aid domes and wax guards, extra batteries if your hearing aids aren鈥檛 rechargeable, your charger (and a wall adapter if you鈥檙e going overseas) for lithium-ion rechargeable hearing aids, and a hearing aid case.
2. En route: Wear hearing aids through airport security, unless instructed to remove them by airport staff. Keep hearing aids in while driving so you鈥檙e alert to your surroundings. 鈥淚f background noise is bothering you, roll up the windows and turn down the radio. A hearing aid specialist can also adjust your hearing aids so you hear less distracting background noises,鈥� Kim says. Even if you don鈥檛 have hearing aids, sign up for text or email notifications so you don鈥檛 miss information about gate changes or flight delays, and let staff know that you have trouble hearing.
3. While you鈥檙e there: Moisture is the enemy of many electronics, hearing aids included. Take hearing aids out before swimming, and dry them out at the end of the day. 鈥淎 pocket-sized hearing aid dryer is a great option for non-rechargeable hearing aids; rechargeable hearing aids with lithium ion batteries cannot go into a hearing aid dryer, but can be gently cleaned with a cloth at the end of the day,鈥� Kim says.

With care and preparation, you should be able to avoid most hearing aid malfunctions, and enjoy a relaxing vacation!

For a free hearing consultation and more hearing advice, call Kim Galick at , 604-427-2828 or email info@earslangley.com. Find Ears Hearing at in 91原创, online at and on .