Enjoy the great outdoors with these helpful hints.
Roasting marshmallows around a campfire, laying out under the stars, enjoying the sights and scents of nature all around you — if you’re an outdoors enthusiast, camping is the perfect weekend getaway! Camping with hearing loss can require a little extra planning, but these tips will help you out.
- Bring a hearing aid care kit
- Be careful about heat and moisture
- Read informational signs
- Take advantage of your other senses
- Take a companion
- Bring plenty of light sources
- Introduce yourself to campsite owners/rangers/neighbors
Let’s learn about these tips for camping with hearing loss!
Bring a hearing aid care kit
Depending on your camping style, you may not have all the comforts of home. Some items you use in your everyday routine, like a hearing aid dehumidifier, probably won’t work if you don’t have access to electricity. If this is the case, make yourself a travel hearing aid care kit, including items like:
- A soft, dry cloth stored in a Ziplock bag to keep it dry
- A small desiccant jar or tube
- A cleaning brush or hearing aid multitool
- A headband you can use to shield them from the wind or rain while wearing
Be careful about heat and moisture
If there are two things hearing aids hate, heat and moisture are it! Try to keep your hearing aids out of direct sunlight and away from intense campfire heat. If you’re doing any water-centered activities like kayaking, it may be best to take them out. Bring a waterproof container you can keep them in for water activities and rainy days, and store it in a cool, shady place.
Read informational signs
Many campsites, especially ones in places like national or state parks or forests, will have signs posted with information and advice for campers. If you see one, take a moment to stop and read it to learn their tips for a successful stay! It might include info on local wildlife, where to buy firewood, local activities, camp rules, any dangers to be aware of, and so on. These informational signs give you an option to learn about your campsite without worry of any communication issues that could come with asking a ranger or employee.
Take advantage of your other senses
As you’re exploring around your campsite, tune into all your senses to enjoy yourself and stay alert about what’s around you. For instance, feeling a change in the wind or noticing the sky getting dark can let you know to batten down the hatches for a storm. Seeing evidence of animals can remind you to take extra steps to make sure your food is stored safely. And don’t forget to stop and smell the wildflowers!
Take a companion
When you’re camping with hearing loss, it can help to have an extra pair of ears around. A trusty dog can be an excellent beacon to help you notice any animals in the area. And if you aren’t hoping for a quiet solo weekend in the woods, a human companion or two can make the trip more fun! Otherwise, make sure to let your family and friends know about your plans and where you’ll be camping.
Bring plenty of light sources
For those who rely on speech reading to help with communication, dark nights at a campsite can make conversations difficult. Bring plenty of lanterns, headlamps, and flashlights to keep your campsite well-lit!
Introduce yourself to campsite owners/rangers/neighbors
Camping and nature enthusiasts are often very friendly folks, and it’s never a bad idea to look out for one another! If you feel so inclined, you can introduce yourself to site owners or neighbors and let them know about what you might need in case of emergency (since you might not hear an audio announcement). It can also help you feel more comfortable if you are camping by yourself or with a companion who also has hearing loss.
Next, check out our article on managing hearing loss while living an active lifestyle!
