Hearing Loss and Travel What Airlines Can Do
Hearing Loss and Travel, What Airlines Can Do
— Receive access to exclusive information, benefits and discounts I'm the first to agree that it is our own responsibility to notify everyone about our hearing loss and our needs and to prepare extra carefully for any trip. I made . But airlines, you need to do a better job. And you can! None of my suggestions are particularly difficult to implement. Airlines like Emirates, with passengers speaking many languages, have been doing it for years. In case you're not willing to do this voluntarily, the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) may soon be stepping in. This week the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) announced that the DOT had invited Lise Hamlin of HLAA to be part of an advisory committee on accessible transportation, which is considering changes to in-flight entertainment and communication, as well as rules about and accessible lavatories. In an announcement to members, HLAA noted that the path may be rocky. "We apparently have our work cut out for us," the group said, referring to challenges from the airline industry over DOT's authority to make these changes. Consumers, it's your turn. The HLAA advises, "If you fly this summer and don't get the access you need, please file a complaint." The association also suggests letting Lise Hamlin ([email protected]) know about the problem. In the meantime, here are things the airlines could provide right now to help us: The correct disability service. When we reserve online, there is a space to note a disability and the kinds of services offered. Why, then, is someone who checks "Deaf and Hard of Hearing" offered a wheelchair? This has happened repeatedly to my friends. I also have deaf friends who have been offered Braille options. Please ask us to specify what services we need. How about someone to transcribe information? A sign language interpreter? Even assurance that a flight attendant will make a special effort to tell us anything we need to know about what's going on? Better phone reservations. Most of us with hearing loss are pretty adept at computers. It's the easiest way to communicate. But sometimes a phone call can't be avoided, and an agent with a heavy accent can make information even harder for us to understand. Please politely allow us to be transferred to an agent who speaks English clearly. Captioned safety announcements. Delta, you've come a long way toward helping those of us with hearing loss with your captioned safety videos. They're even funny, so they hold our attention. But midair, when the pilot comes on and says something over the speaker, unfortunately, it sounds like just one long incomprehensible garble. It could be anything from, "Hello, folks, we're turning off the seat-belt sign now," to, "Hello, folks, we're about to encounter some turbulence that may knock you off your feet, so be sure to sit down and buckle your seat belt." Why not live-caption this information on the screens right in front of our eyes? Voice recognition software is getting better and better.
Dear Airlines Please Help Passengers Who Are Hard of Hearing
It would only take a few small improvements
Hero Images/Getty Images Airlines can take these steps to make travel easier for those with hearing loss. Dear American Airlines, Delta, United and the whole rest of the pack: I know you're having a hard time this summer, what with three-hour lines at security and dealing with unhappy, cramped travelers. I hate to burden you with another complaint, but really, can't you do just a few small things to make life easier for ? I hope you realize that we represent 1 in 5 of your customers. Of the 50 million Americans with hearing loss, quite a few end up on your airplanes.Hearing Loss
— Receive access to exclusive information, benefits and discounts I'm the first to agree that it is our own responsibility to notify everyone about our hearing loss and our needs and to prepare extra carefully for any trip. I made . But airlines, you need to do a better job. And you can! None of my suggestions are particularly difficult to implement. Airlines like Emirates, with passengers speaking many languages, have been doing it for years. In case you're not willing to do this voluntarily, the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) may soon be stepping in. This week the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) announced that the DOT had invited Lise Hamlin of HLAA to be part of an advisory committee on accessible transportation, which is considering changes to in-flight entertainment and communication, as well as rules about and accessible lavatories. In an announcement to members, HLAA noted that the path may be rocky. "We apparently have our work cut out for us," the group said, referring to challenges from the airline industry over DOT's authority to make these changes. Consumers, it's your turn. The HLAA advises, "If you fly this summer and don't get the access you need, please file a complaint." The association also suggests letting Lise Hamlin ([email protected]) know about the problem. In the meantime, here are things the airlines could provide right now to help us: The correct disability service. When we reserve online, there is a space to note a disability and the kinds of services offered. Why, then, is someone who checks "Deaf and Hard of Hearing" offered a wheelchair? This has happened repeatedly to my friends. I also have deaf friends who have been offered Braille options. Please ask us to specify what services we need. How about someone to transcribe information? A sign language interpreter? Even assurance that a flight attendant will make a special effort to tell us anything we need to know about what's going on? Better phone reservations. Most of us with hearing loss are pretty adept at computers. It's the easiest way to communicate. But sometimes a phone call can't be avoided, and an agent with a heavy accent can make information even harder for us to understand. Please politely allow us to be transferred to an agent who speaks English clearly. Captioned safety announcements. Delta, you've come a long way toward helping those of us with hearing loss with your captioned safety videos. They're even funny, so they hold our attention. But midair, when the pilot comes on and says something over the speaker, unfortunately, it sounds like just one long incomprehensible garble. It could be anything from, "Hello, folks, we're turning off the seat-belt sign now," to, "Hello, folks, we're about to encounter some turbulence that may knock you off your feet, so be sure to sit down and buckle your seat belt." Why not live-caption this information on the screens right in front of our eyes? Voice recognition software is getting better and better.