Experts team up to provide sound advice for summer holidays

Two independent Lichfield firms have teamed up to help travellers with hearing loss enjoy stress-free summer holidays

Audiologist Laura Evans of Cathedral Hearing and holiday specialist Helen Davis of Travel Counsellors have created a ‘Holiday Hearing Health Checklist’ to help people with hearing loss travel with greater confidence and peace of mind.

The pair, who are business neighbours on Sandford Street, Lichfield, want to encourage travellers to think about both their hearing health and travel arrangements and have made the special checklist available on their websites.

Throughout the summer, they will also be sharing practical travel tips and expert advice on social media designed to help travellers feel prepared, supported, and ready to enjoy their holiday.

More than 18 million UK adults are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, according to RNID, while around three-million use hearing aids.

Despite this, hearing health is often overlooked when planning a holiday.

Laura Evans said: “I often see people spend weeks planning their holiday but give very little thought to their hearing aids until the day before they leave.

“A quick hearing check and a bit of preparation can make a huge difference. Whether it's hearing announcements at the airport, enjoying conversations over dinner or simply relaxing knowing you have spare batteries and chargers with you, a little forward planning helps people get the most from their holiday.”

Laura’s recommendations to travellers include booking a hearing check before travelling if they have noticed any changes in their hearing; have hearing aids professionally serviced and checked before departure; pack spare batteries, chargers, domes, filters, and cleaning supplies; store hearing aids safely when swimming or enjoying water activities; consider ear protection for flights, concerts, festivals, and other noisy environments, and save important hearing aid settings and manufacturer support details before travelling abroad.

Helen adds: “When I'm helping clients plan a trip, it's often the little details that make the biggest difference.

“Something as simple as arranging airport assistance in advance, choosing accommodation that suits their needs or checking insurance cover for hearing aids can remove a lot of worry.

“My job is to highlight those practicalities so people can focus on enjoying their holiday.”

Helen’s advice includes using earplugs or noise‑cancelling headphones on the plane; keep the volume sensible; be wary of loud events beyond normal activities, and to try not to forcefully dive into the pool or sea with ears unprotected.

For babies, Helen advises feeding during ascent and descent or giving a dummy encourages swallowing and helps with pressure changes.

Laura and Helen also encourage holidaymakers to prepare for unexpected problems – such as knowing what to do if a hearing aid is lost, damaged or stops working.

Laura said: "Holidays should be about making memories, not worrying about what might go wrong.

“By taking a few simple steps before travelling, people with hearing loss can feel more confident, more independent and better prepared to enjoy every part of their trip.”

Pictured: Laura Evans and Helen Davis