Make the most of your stay with these helpful suggestions on traveling with hearing loss.
Traveling doesn’t need to be stressful! Being prepared is one of the best ways to ensure everything goes smoothly. Home rentals like Airbnb, VRBO, or local rental companies can be great options for flexibility, saving money, accommodating large groups, experiencing an area off the beaten path, and giving your stay a more “homey” feel than a hotel might.
If you’re traveling with hearing loss, there are plenty of tips to help make your stay at a home rental go a little smoother. Here are a few suggestions for your next stay in a home rental:
- Inform the home host
- Check the reviews
- Bring your devices
- Find an option with potential quiet areas
- Check the accessibility features
Ready to learn more about these tips for staying in a home rental while traveling with hearing loss? Let’s get started!
Inform the home host
When you book, if you are comfortable, let the host know that you or someone in your party experiences hearing loss. You may be able to ask for specific accommodations, and letting them know ahead of time can allow them to prepare the home the best they can. You can also ask questions before booking to ensure that their rental is the right fit for you or your group.
Check the reviews
The reviews section of a home rental site can be a great place to find out if a particular home is the right fit for your group. If the host is great and tends to be very accommodating, people typically leave a review and let future renters know. You may also find some less-than-stellar reviews, which can help narrow down your search.
Reviews may also let you know whether the area and neighbors tend to be noisy or if it’s quiet, which can help with the selection of the rental as well. A quieter area may be more comfortable if you’re traveling with hearing loss, so you won’t have outside noises competing for your attention while you’re talking with your travel companions.
Bring your devices
Be sure to make a list of things you might need to make traveling with hearing loss a success. Include things like device chargers, dryers, vibrating alarm clocks, travel cases for devices, earplugs, and headphones. Making a list and checking things off as you pack them will ensure that you don’t forget anything! For more tips on how to pack while traveling with hearing loss, check out this CapTel blog post.
Find an option with potential quiet areas
Take advantage of the photos posted with the rental home and look to see if there is an area separated from the living and kitchen areas to designate as a quiet area for conversation, especially if you’re traveling with a large group. This will help you guarantee there’s always a spot for anyone traveling with hearing loss to step away from any noisy gatherings and be able to focus on their conversation.
Check the accessibility features
Airbnb has recently added accessibility filters on Airbnb that can help people choose the best stays and experiences to fit their communication needs. A few filters include the host knowing sign language, experiences where guides are educated on accommodating guests with hearing loss, and quiet retreat space. You can learn more about these accessibility features here.
Traveling with hearing loss and staying in a home rental can be a breeze with these tips. If you’re hosting someone who experiences hearing loss, check out our blog on accommodating guests with hearing loss here, and find more tips for traveling with hearing loss on the CapTel blog!
