flying

You may take for granted that you can watch movies (whether you paid $8
for them on your seatback or if it’s playing overhead) but in fact, most
in-flight entertainment offerings don’t even offer closed captioning.

And while some Southwest flight attendants get creative with their
boarding announcements, there’s no sign language interpreter for the
hearing impaired. This is probably fine when it comes to rapping flight
attendants but what happens when there’s an emergency?

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 37 million adults
of all ages in the United States reported some degree of hearing loss in
2006. This includes a range of impairments, from those having problems
hearing to those who are completely deaf.

How Do You Notify Airlines?

When it comes to informing the airlines of your hearing impairment, all of
the major U.S. carriers encourage the same thing: let an agent know at
each stage of your trip from the booking agent all the way to the gate
agent and flight attendants. All too often it is the airlines who fail to
alert airline crews or other personnel. Avoid any such screw-ups by
letting an airline employee know about your impairment wherever you are,
whether it be at the ticket counter or on the plane.

Start by giving a heads-up to the reservation agent or travel agent that
you’re hearing-impaired and let them know of any accommodations you might
need. The agent will make a note on your reservation so that anyone who
pulls it up will know your background.

For airlines such as Southwest, you’ll have to shell out more money to
reserve a ticket over the phone. But you can avoid the fee by first
booking online, then calling the airline with your confirmation number and
asking that your request be indicated on your reservation.

Most airlines do offer hard-of-hearing passengers phone assistance so that
you can book your own ticket or ask any questions. Here’s how you can
contact them. TTY stands for teletypewriter, TDD is an acronym for
telecommunications device for the deaf and TT means text telephone.

What Special Services Are Offered?

Airlines provide a range of services to make your trip as trouble-free as
possible. They range from pre-boarding the flight to having a friend or
family member escort you to the gate. Those escorts can get a gate pass
when you check in at the ticket counter, similar to how family members can
get one when sending off unaccompanied minors. It’ll enable escorts to go
through security and chill with you at the gate until you board the plane.

How Are Gate Changes and In-Flight Announcements Handled?

When you board the plane, the best way to open lines of communication with
the crew is to show that slip of paper to your flight attendant. The
attendant is supposed to be already aware that there’s a hearing-impaired
person aboard, but this way will prevent any problems.

Once the flight attendant knows about your hearing issue, and how to best
communicate with you, he or she will let you know about any announcements.
And of course, for the nervous traveler, there are the cards in the seat
backs that will ease any worries about what to do in case of an emergency.

What Are Your In-Flight Entertainment Options?

We asked around to see what in-flight entertainment is available to
hard-of-hearing passengers for those longer flights and unfortunately,
it’s slim pickings. Unless you’re lucky enough to get a foreign flick with
subtitles already provided, your best bet is to BYO book or to lug your
computer with you to take advantage of some in-flight WiFi.

“We encourage deaf, hard-of-hearing and deaf-blind air travelers to learn
about their rights, to request communication and information that is
accessible to them, and to file complaints when those requests are
denied,” says Rosaline Crawford, director of the National Association of
the Deaf Law and Advocacy Center.

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network recently broke down
the ACAA’s guidelines so you can fight for your right to fly.

· Info and reservation services must be accessible
If an airline offers phone reservations and info, the same service must be
given to hard-of-hearing passengers, whether through TTY or other
technology.

· Info at the airport must be accessible once you identify yourself as
hearing impaired
Once you give them the 411, U.S. airlines must give you prompt access to
the information that hearing passengers have.

· Communication on the aircraft must be effective after
self-identification
Same dealio here; you let them know about your condition, flight
attendants have to keep you informed.

· Service animals are allowed aboard
As long as the animal doesn’t obstruct the aisles, you should be able to
bring Fido.

· Those who are deaf-blind are entitled to safety assistants
Airlines may require you to travel with a safety assistant if you are deaf
and blind and the attendants can’t effectively communicate with you.

· If you need help moving around the airport or aircraft, the airline must
provide assistance
From our research, most airlines are reluctant to offer this to
hearing-impaired passengers, unless you have another condition that makes
it hard for you to move around.