Let the reservation

agent know that you have a hearing loss. Repeat

the information so the agent can confirm your

arrangements. Also ask for written confirmation

to be mailed or faxed to you.

If the telephone is

too difficult, you can make your travel

arrangements in person with a travel agent.

Another strategy is to make your own travel

arrangements though the Internet. If your are

comfortable using a computer and have the time,

you can shop for hotel and airline information

and make reservations while "on-line."

When traveling

Don't panic if you

find it nearly impossible to understand the

announcements at bus, train or airline terminals.

Even people with excellent hearing often find it

difficult to understand public announcements in

these settings. (Wouldn't it be nice if people

who made public announcements had training in

public speaking so we could actually understand

them?)

Airports, bus and

train terminals usually have displays of route

numbers, destinations and gate numbers throughout

the terminal. Check the posted information for

gate and departure times. After boarding, confirm

with an attendant that you are on the correct

flight or train.

Public

telephones

More telephones

with built-in amplifiers are available today in

places like train terminals and airports. Still,

it's a good idea to carry a portable amplifier so

you can use any telephone. Most public telephones

are also hearing aid compatible (for those who

have a telephone switch on their hearing aids).

Accommodations

With the passage of

the Americans with Disabilities Act, more hotels

provide assistance to people with hearing loss.

This assistance may include in-room amplified

telephones and alerting devices for smile and

fire alarms.

Hotel televisions

may have built-in captioning that can be

activated. However, you may want to carry your

own assistive devices since you will be more

familiar with them.

Finally, be sure to

let the front desk receptionist know that you

have a hearing loss in case of emergency.

Your hearing

aids

Be sure to carry

plenty of batteries; the batteries won't go bad

if kept in their original container and it will

save you the trouble of shopping for batteries

while traveling. Bring along a dri-aid kit or

another durable container to protect your hearing

aids.

Finally, consider

carrying a spare hearing aid during your trip.

You'll have a backup in case of loss or

malfunction, plus carrying a spare will relieve

you of the anxious worry, "What will I do if

one of my aids stops working?"

We hope these tips

make traveling more enjoyable and bon voyage!

- Andrew Waits