Posted Monday June 22, 2026
Preparing for your flight...
What to do before flying with hearing aids
As for many other moments in life, preparation is key. Therefore, preparing to fly with hearing aids is no different. To help, we’ve answered some common questions that you might have about wearing hearing aids on planes.
Should I schedule a pre-flight hearing aid check?
A quick check-up ensures your devices are clean, performing well and ready for long travel days. It also provides you with peace of mind, wherever you are travelling.
Can I wear hearing aids on a plane?
Yes, you can absolutely wear hearing aids on a plane. Modern hearing aids are safe for air travel and won't interfere with aircraft systems. Keeping them on helps you stay aware of announcements, communicate with flight attendants clearly and enjoy in-flight entertainment.
If travelling internationally, should I pack a voltage converter for my hearing aid charger?
It depends on where you are travelling. In the same way that power sockets vary across countries and regions, voltage and frequency also change. While most hearing aid chargers have a voltage converter built in, you should always confirm the voltage range of your charger. You can do this by checking your charger’s label.
If the range is wide, for example 100 – 240V, it will cover most regions. If your charger has a limited range, for example 120V, it’s best to pack a voltage converter to ensure the safety of your hearing aids while charging abroad.
How should I pack hearing aids on planes?
Prepare a dedicated kit containing:
- Extra batteries, or fully charged power bank or smart charger
- Cleaning tools and spare wax guards
- Protective storage case
- Drying kit or dehumidifier
- A copy of your hearing aid prescription for international travel
- International power adaptor and voltage converter (if required)
Battery regulations for air travel
Can you take hearing aid batteries on a plane?
Yes, you can take hearing aid batteries on a plane. This includes:
Disposable zinc-air batteries
Disposable hearing aid batteries are permitted in carry-on luggage, but it’s important not to stow them in your checked luggage. Pack extra batteries in your carry-on bag and keep them in their original packaging to prevent accidental activation.
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries
Rechargeable hearing aids with built-in lithium-ion batteries are allowed on planes. Aviation safety guidelines require that external battery chargers and spare lithium-ion batteries travel in carry-on luggage, not checked baggage.
Pack your charging case, cables and any portable power banks in your carry-on bag so you can recharge during layovers or delays. Most hearing aid lithium-ion batteries are well within airline safety limits.
At the airport...
Navigating airport security with hearing aids
From airport security to navigating the terminal, these tips are designed to ease pre-departure stress.
Will hearing aids set off security metal detectors?
Hearing aids won’t trigger metal detectors or body scanners at airport security, so there's no need to remove them.
Airport security screening tips
- Keep your hearing aids in place during screening
- Inform security personnel that you're wearing hearing aids if needed
- Ask for visual cues or written instructions if you need to clarify information or announcements
Utilising the airport's hearing loop system
Some airports have special hearing loop systems that send announcements straight into your hearing aids, making them clearer to hear. Look for the blue ear-and-“T” signs around check-in areas, help desks and boarding gates.
To use the hearing loop system, your hearing aid needs to have a telecoil (T-coil) setting. You can check your devices or original packaging for the universal telecoil symbol (stylised ear with a curved line or the letter "T" through it) or check your device program settings for a "T" or "MT" option.
Some key airports with hearing loop systems:
- Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland
- Melbourne and Sydney
- Gatwick, Heathrow and Luton
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard
Over 350 airports also participate in the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Programme. Passengers with non-obvious disabilities, including hearing loss, can wear a Sunflower lanyard or wristband to discreetly notify staff that they may need extra time or support during their journey. If you'd like to
If you're travelling throughout New Zealand, airports including Invercargill, Dunedin and Queenstown have adopted the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. Prior to your travel, you can request a free lanyard from the airport, which you can collect and use for all future trips.
Read more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard.
During the flight...
Flying with Bluetooth hearing aids
If you use Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids, you may need to adjust settings during different parts of the flight. Scenarios may include during take-off and landing, and when background noise feels overwhelming. Follow these tips:
Reduce airplane background noise
Aircraft engines create significant background noise. Instead of turning up the volume (which amplifies everything, including engine rumble), lower it slightly and rely on your device's noise reduction features to maintain speech clarity.
Activate airplane mode for your hearing aids
During take-off and landing, switch your Bluetooth hearing aids to airplane mode. This turns off streaming but keeps your amplification working normally. Once electronic devices are permitted, you can turn on Bluetooth to stream audio from your phone or tablet.
Do hearing aids connect to airplane entertainment screens?
Most hearing aids don’t connect directly to airplane entertainment screens because the systems do not use open Bluetooth pairing. However, you’ll still have plenty of ways to enjoy entertainment throughout your flight.
If you want to stream in-flight audio to your hearing aids, you may be able to use a small Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into the headphone jack. These work with many Made for iPhone (MFi), ASHA-compatible Android or newer LE Audio hearing aids. Some models won’t pair, so check before you travel.
If streaming isn’t possible, you can wear airline headphones over your hearing aids, ask the crew for higher-volume headsets, turn on captions or bring your own downloaded entertainment.
How to manage cabin pressure changes
It’s important to note that the type of hearing aid and fitting affects how you experience air pressure changes. Swallowing, yawning or chewing gum can help equalise the pressure.
If you’re experiencing significant discomfort, try removing your hearing aids to allow pressure to equalise quickly. Removing hearing aids is particularly helpful for people wearing completely-in-the-canal (CIC) or in-the-ear (ITE) models.
Find your nearest Audiology South and book your pre-travel hearing aid check-up.