Should You Take Your Hearing Aids Out When Flying?

Flying with hearing loss comes with many challenges. Air travel can be stressful enough without having to wonder what to do with the devices you rely on to hear. Does the TSA require you to remove hearing aids at security? Should you turn them off during takeoff? Do Bluetooth hearing aids need to be put in airplane mode? Fortunately, flying with hearing aids is usually pretty straightforward. You don’t need to remove them for airport security or turn them off during takeoff or landing. Keeping them in can help you stay connected to announcements, crew instructions, and conversations throughout your trip. Still, flying with hearing loss presents a few situations that can raise questions for hearing aid users. Here’s what to know about wearing hearing aids while flying within the U.S., from TSA and airplane mode to cabin pressure, batteries, and in-flight audio. Should you wear hearing aids when flying? Yes, in most cases you should wear your hearing aids during a flight. Takeoff and landing tend to raise the most questions. Cabin pressure is changing, passengers are being told to put devices in airplane mode, and certain electronics may need to be turned off or stowed. It’s reasonable to wonder whether any of those instructions apply to hearing aids. “I generally recommend keeping hearing aids in during takeoff and landing so patients can continue to hear announcements and communicate effectively,” says audiologist Dr. Ruth Reisman , AuD. Unless you have another reason to take them out, keeping your hearing aids in can be useful throughout the travel day. Airports and airplanes are communication-heavy environments, and hearing aids may help you catch gate changes, boarding instructions, safety announcements, or a flight attendant speaking to you. Hearing Aids and TSA Security According to the TSA’s guidance for travelers with disabilities and medical conditions, you don’t need to remove your hearing aids before going through security. Hearing aids contain only small