Flying with Hearing Loss: Tips for a better hearing journey
Airports are noisy, rushed and full of “blink and you’ll miss it” announcements. It’s a challenge even for those with good hearing but can be a nightmare for those of us who find these scenarios very challenging.
But wait. There is good news! In Australia, airports and airlines have obligations to make information accessible, and there’s a lot you can do to make the journey smoother for yourself.
This guide walks you through each stage of a trip, with simple, practical tips for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, including cochlear implant and hearing aid users.
Preparing for the flight at home
A little bit of prep at home can save you a lot of stress on the day and make the journey a lot smoother.
Tell the airline you have hearing loss
Check the airlines website for any information on travelling with hearing loss.
Some will let you submit a form after booking to let them know of any specific requirements eg QANTAS
Others ask you to contact the airline direct and airlines like Virgin promote National Relay Service numbers if needed.
Get ready to show your hearing loss
Sometimes it’s a lot easier to just tell people you have a hearing loss and there are several ways you can do that.
BHA has Hearing Loss badges available that make it clear to people that you have a hearing loss and give a basic direction for how to help. Our members travel with these, and it makes interactions so much easier. See our story from Susan who travels extensively with her badge and shares her experiences.
Many airlines now recognise the Sunflower as a universal indicator of a hidden disability like hearing loss. Airline staff have been trained to recognise this symbol as an indicator that someone has a hidden disability but, unlike a hearing loss badge, it does not make it clear what kind of disability. You will need to let them know what accommodations you need. You can order lanyards, badges or wristbands from Hidden Disability.
Travelling with Cochlear implants and hearing aids
If you use a cochlear implant or other implanted device, it’s worth carrying:
- A Patient Identification card (usually available from your implant provider) or a letter from your audiologist; and
- Any brief manufacturer advice about airport security, if you have it.
Pop these in your wallet where you’d normally keep your ID or Medicare card.
Sort your tech and entertainment
Inflight entertainment, if available, isn’t always fully captioned yet, so:
- Download your own shows, movies or podcasts (with captions or transcripts) to a phone or tablet.
- Bring noise-reducing or noise-cancelling headphones if they help you focus on sound.
- Make sure your devices are fully charged and pack your charging cables or a power bank in your carry-on.
- If you want to use your own headphones with the airline’s inflight entertainment system, note that some airlines still use the two-pronged jack so you will need a suitable adapter for your device.
Find any other supports
Do an online search at home for terms like your airline name and “hearing loss”. Or find your airline’s disability page to see what accommodations and options they have available.
Many provide additional assistance that may not be well promoted but still exists like this video from Qantas on how to prepare for your flight.
At the airport
Check-in and bag drop
If you have to check in, say something like:
“Hi, I have hearing loss and don’t always catch announcements. Can you please note that on my booking and let the gate staff know I might need information given to me directly?”
You can also:
- Ask about pre-boarding so you have a calmer environment to settle in, and
- Confirm that gate staff will call you personally if anything changes.
Use visual information & hearing support
Around the terminal:
- Keep an eye on departure screens for gate numbers, delays and boarding calls.
- If your name comes up on a visual paging board, go straight to the information desk or gate.
- Look for hearing loop symbols (usually an ear icon with a “T”) at service desks. If you use telecoil, switch your hearing aid or processor to the T setting when you see these signs.
If you’ve missed an announcement, it’s absolutely fine to walk up and say:
“I didn’t hear the announcement. Can you tell me what was said?”
You do not have to apologise for this as you’re just asking for information you’re entitled to.
At Brisbane Airport various features have been implemented to enhance accessibility. This includes assistive listening systems and hearing loops, and visual paging screens with flight information in both visual and audio formats.
Security screening with hearing aids or cochlear implants
Security can feel daunting but know that you do not need to remove devices when transiting through the security screening.
Hearing aids
For most people:
- You can leave your hearing aids in through the metal detector or body scanner.
- They should not be harmed by the screening equipment.
- Keeping them in means you can better hear instructions, which helps the security team as well.
If an officer asks you to remove them:
- Tell them you have hearing loss and will find it harder to follow instructions without your aids.
- Ask if they can visually check or swab them instead or only remove them briefly once you’ve understood what they need.
Cochlear implants and other implanted devices
Before you walk through:
- Tell the screening officer you have a cochlear implant or implanted hearing device.
- Show your patient ID card or letter, if you have one.
- Explain how your external processor is worn (on the ear, on the head, on a clip, etc.).
If the machine alarms, they may:
- Use a hand-held metal detector carefully around the implant area,
- Do a pat-down and explosive trace swab, or
- Ask you to put the external processor through the X-ray briefly. Please check the recommendations for your specific device with your audiologist before you travel but Cochlear and Medel provide the following advice.
If security staff need to check your external processors, you can usually keep them on and walk through the metal detector or body scanner as it won’t harm them. There may be some interference and you might hear a brief buzzing. If you do take your processors off, tell staff you won’t be able to hear clearly without them and ask if they can be hand-checked instead of going through the X-ray machine, as there is a small chance it could damage the microphones. If they must go through the X-ray machine, never place processors loose on the conveyor as static can impact your devices. Instead, put them in a static-free container (like a fabric bag or their case) inside your carry-on to protect them. DO NOT pack spare processors in checked luggage, as checked baggage is exposed to stronger X-rays. If in doubt, follow the specific advice for your device and talk to your audiologist before you travel.
If you’re not sure or comfortable, you can say:
“This is a medical device. I’m happy for you to pat me down or swab, but I don’t want the internal implant interfered with.”
Security staff must still complete their checks, but they should work with you to do this safely and respectfully.
Brisbane Airport confirms this on their website stating: “If you wear any medical device or equipment, the screening officer will not remove, attempt to remove, interfere with, or ask you to remove the device or equipment. A screening officer may request consent to inspect a medical device or implant if required to complete screening.”
They do ask you to let security officers know about the device when you begin the screening process.
At the gate
This is the point where missed announcements can lead to missed flights, so it’s worth being proactive.
Make yourself known
Walk up to the staff at the gate and say:
“Hi, I’m on this flight and I’m deaf/hard of hearing. I may not hear boarding calls or changes. Can you please let me know directly when you call my group or if there are any changes?”
It may help to have this preprinted on a card or paper to show rather than struggling to communicate in a noise airport lounge.
You can also ask:
- If they can wave to you when it’s time to board, or
- If you can pre-board so you’re not trying to hear in the middle of a crowd.
Then choose a seat where:
- You can see the gate desk, and
- You can easily walk up if you see staff speaking to the group.
On the plane
Safety information
By law, you should have access to the same safety information as everyone else.
You can ask a flight attendant for:
- A face-to-face safety briefing before take-off (they can show you the exits, life vest, oxygen mask, and emergency procedures); and
- To be tapped on the shoulder or notified personally about any important announcements.
Use this simple script to let flight attendants know you have a hearing:
“I have hearing loss and I may not hear your announcements clearly. Could you please give me a quick safety briefing in person and let me know directly if there are any important messages during the flight?”
Flight attendants are very used to doing this and will be happy to help.
Inflight entertainment
Some, but not all, movies and TV shows will have captions. Look for CC or subtitle icons in the entertainment menu.
Not every airline and aircraft offers full captioning yet, so you may find the options limited.
That’s why having your own captioned content on a device is still the most reliable option.
If you can’t access the onboard entertainment at all, you can:
- Let crew know helping to build the case for better access in future; and
- Use the time for your own content, reading, or rest without feeling like you’re “missing out because of your hearing” (we love the no-guilt feeling of just being able to tune out on flights).
If something goes wrong
Sometimes, despite your best planning, things still don’t go to plan.
You miss a call or gate change
Go straight to the nearest staff member and explain:
“I have hearing loss and didn’t hear the announcement. Can you please help me understand what’s happening with my flight?”
Stay calm – you have not “done anything wrong”. The goal is to get clear information and a plan.
You feel you’ve been treated unfairly
If you feel you were:
- Refused help,
- Spoken to disrespectfully, or
- Denied information that others got,
you can:
- Give feedback to the airline or airport (there’s usually a feedback or complaints form on their website). Write down:
- Flight number and date
- What happened
- What you asked for
- How staff responded
If you feel you were discriminated against because of your hearing loss, you can seek advice or lodge a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Better Hearing Australia can also help you think through how to advocate, what to write, or where to take your concern if you’re unsure.
A simple pre-flight checklist
You might like to screenshot or print this:
Before you leave home
- Noted “deaf/hard of hearing” or special assistance on my booking
- Implant Patient ID card or audiologist letter in my wallet (if relevant)
- Phone/tablet charged, shows and podcasts downloaded
- Hearing aids/processors packed with spare batteries or charger
- Badge or lanyard
- Preprint suggested scripts above if you will have trouble communicating
At the airport
- Told check-in staff about my hearing loss and asked them to note my needs
- Looked for hearing loop symbols and visual information screens
- Told security staff about my implant or devices before screening
At the gate
- Introduced myself to gate staff and asked them to tell me personally about boarding and changes
- Chosen a seat where I can see the desk
On board
- Asked crew for a face-to-face safety briefing
- Asked to be notified directly of any important announcements
- Checked for captions in the inflight entertainment (or set up my own device)
If you live with hearing loss, you already navigate a world that isn’t always built with you in mind. Air travel is no different but with the right information, you can absolutely fly with more confidence and control.
If you’d like support planning an accessible trip, drafting a complaint, or simply talking through your options, Better Hearing Australia (Brisbane) is here to help.
