Traveling Safely

By W.L. “Hunter” Huntley, III, HAS., BC-HIS –

Traveling “safely” is usually not what most individuals think of before embarking on a trip away from home.  However, when people travel there is always a certain amount of anxiety encountering the unknown.  Even travelers with the most savvy can encounter the unexpected.

One thing most people don’t think about is hearing properly.  Whether you’re going across town or across the country, even the most cosmopolitan traveler should be aware of their surroundings.  This is vital not only for a journey without complications, but for safety as well.

Airline travel has never been more complicated.  Arriving two hours before takeoff is now required due to extra security procedures.  Luggage now cost extra, especially if it is over the designated weight limit. No more complimentary food and beverages. Pillows and blankets are a thing of the past.  Even headsets to watch in-flight movies are extra!

Departing times, gate changes, and arrival times can change in a moments notice, making hearing properly more crucial than ever.  Missing a flight can not only cause anxiety, but can be costly as well.  Another flight to your original destination may not even exist.

Hearing devices can make the difference between  a stress free experience; or a trip filled with anxiety, turmoil and a lighter wallet.

Hearing instrument wearers are more confident, have less stress, and tend to be more socially active than people who have hearing loss, but do not address the issue  with hearing solutions.

Johns Hopkins Medical University has conducted case studies on individuals who have hearing problems, but do not seek any form of help.  The studies concluded that people who had even a mild hearing loss were twice as likely to develop dementia and Alzheimers disease.  Those with severe impairment were five times as likely to suffer from dementia and Alzheimers.  This is due to the auditory cortex of the brain lacking “proper” stimulation, resulting in the part of the brain responsible for speech interpretation atrophying and losing function.  Once you lose it, it doesn’t come back!  As with any medical condition, early detection is imperative for successful treatment.

Signs of Developing a Hearing Loss
If you or anyone you know shows signs of developing hearing issues: such as asking for words or directions to be repeated, turning up the television or radio louder that normal, accusing others of mumbling, missing the sound of turn indicators while driving, have difficulty understanding conversations in the car, experience problems talking on the phone, struggle to hear in noisy environments or background noise, must have others raise their voice or move closer to hear them, have difficulty understanding conversations in the car, or avoid certain situations due to difficulty understanding conversations.

Please contact our office for a FREE, no obligation hearing exam as soon as possible.  The longer you wait, the worse it will get.

Call 239-997-8288 for a FREE Evaluation.