With only two weeks until the Olympic flame is lit to begin the 2024 Olympic Games, we are cheering on each athlete as they make final preparations and the fans who will be lucky enough to attend the Games in person.

If you are one of the lucky attendees heading to Paris – or another destination to enjoy viewing the Games with others - be sure to consider your ears during the fun.

• Pack your hearing aid supplies in your carry-on bag. If by chance your bag gets lost or delayed in transit, you’ll have everything you need to communicate at your best while the issue gets resolved. Note: TSA does not permit rechargeable batteries to fly in checked luggage. If your hearing aids are rechargeable, you are required to carry them with you on board.


• Need a little extra help at the airport and in-flight? You can indicate during the booking process (online or over the phone) that you have hearing loss. This will notify the gate agents and flight crew that you should receive personal assistance if there are important announcements. An airline agent may possibly be able to meet and assist you at your gate if you need help during a layover. A list of airline accessibility services can be found here. 


• Get familiar with your hearing aid app. If your hearing aids come with a smartphone app that allows you to customize your hearing experience, be sure to open the app and learn what you can adjust before your trip. This will not only save you time from trying to troubleshoot your hearing aids on the go, but will help you hear at your best during the biggest moments of the event.


• Download and utilize the airline app. You’ll find that most major airlines have their own app. Not only can you see your ticket, group, and seat with just a few clicks, but you also get immediate gate change and boarding notifications. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the airline app and check in or register your flight in the app before heading to the airport.


• Utilize captioning when possible. In 2016, the US Department of Transportation mandated that all new in-flight entertainment equipment is required to have an option for closed captioning. The feature depends on whether the aircraft you are on has been updated since that time. Of my 10 flights with seatback televisions this year, all of them had the capability of closed captioning, so it seems that most equipment has been updated to meet these requirements and be more accessible for those with hearing loss. And more accessibility features in airports and on airplanes are coming with this year’s passage and enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act.


• Pack a Peanut Butter Lid. You read that right! Laurie Osterman, a hearing aid wearer and pilot’s wife, came up with this ingenious method of keeping track of her hearing aids in new locations. She packs a brightly colored peanut butter lid, keeps it on the hotel nightstand, and places her hearing aids in the lid when sleeping. The color of the lid stands out and always reminds her to bring her hearing aids along and, most importantly, to not forget them in the room when she is packing to check out!

We wish you safe travels and our thoughts are with Team USA as they prepare for their respective events! Stay safe and enjoy a wonderful Summer Games!