International Holiday Trip Tips for the Hearing Impaired

Hearing can play an important role in your travels, not only internationally but even just around Carlsbad, California. Hearing helps make it possible to ask for directions, listen to overhead announcements at train stations and airports and can even help you stay safe. Fire alarms and car horns are warnings that those without hearing loss take for granted. 

Traveling around Carlsbad, California without impeccable hearing can be daunting; traveling to a foreign country with a hearing impairment can be downright unnerving. 

·         Before you leave for your trip, double check that all the arrangements and bookings you’ve made have been are confirmed in writing and everything that can be printed has been printed. This will eliminate the need for you to call an establishment to confirm any travel details over the phone

·         If the residents of the country you are visiting do not speak English, learn the phrase “I am deaf” in that country’s language. Write the phrase down on a few cards that you can hand out if needed

·         Let the staff know you have hearing loss when checking into a hotel. Explain that this means you will not hear anyone knocking on the door, hear the smoke alarm or answer the telephone. The hotel staff should be able to set up an electronic alert to send to your phone or email in case of an emergency. You can pass along this information at the time of booking as well.

·         Buy and review a map before you leave for your trip. This will make you less reliant on asking for verbal directions while exploring.

·         A good guidebook will help eliminate the need to ask for recommendations for places to eat or shop.

While these tips are specifically tailored for international travel, they can easily be implemented for travel around Carlsbad and the rest of California.

To know more about hearing loss California, visit: Calhns.com

Dining out in Carlsbad with hearing loss_ Cal HNS

Dining out with those you love in Carlsbad, California is an easy way to bring pleasure into your life. Unfortunately, if you suffer from hearing loss a simple dinner can easily become frustrating. Here are five tips to bring the enjoyment back to this enjoyable outing

1.      Chose the company – it is much easier to sustain a dinner conversation with only a few people than with everyone at the table. If you can, limit the number of people invited to the event. If you are not in charge of the guest list, try focusing on the smaller conversations taking place around you, instead of the large one happening across the table.

2.      Chose the restaurant – Carlsbad has a lot of options when it comes to places to eat. Pick a place that has carpeting and has wider spaced tables, covered in fabric tablecloths. These soft fabrics help absorb sounds and the wider table spacing helps prevent commotion, common to a busy restaurant.  Chose a well lit restaurant if you rely on lip reading.

3.      Chose the time – Selecting the time you eat is just as important as picking the right restaurant. Try to avoid the lunch and dinner rush; instead, opt for a time when the restaurant is empty, such as 5pm. While an early dinner is not ideal for everyone, understanding the entire conversation is worth it.

4.      Chose a seat – if possible, select a seat at the table so your back will be against the wall. This will help prevent background noise from interfering in your conversation. You should try to sit as far away from the busy areas, like the hostess desk and the kitchen.

5.      Chose what to eat – when you arrive, ask the hostess if they have a list of their nightly specials. If they do not, simply explain your hearing difficulties to a staff member. They should be able to provide you with a list before you even sit down.  

The Allergy Answer

Allergies affect a large portion of the La Jolla and Carlsbad population—in fact, about 20% of all people suffer from seasonal or long-term allergies. Understanding what causes them—and what specific allergens trigger your symptoms—is vital to finding the perfect immunotherapy treatment through sublingual therapy or allergy shots for your individual needs.

The immune system is your body’s first line of defense when fighting germs, viruses and bacteria. Your immune system helps the body stay in good health, and it also prevents infections. When the immune system encounters a foreign substance, that substance is considered a threat to your health. Your body responds by attacking that substance. In cases of infection or disease, this is a positive thing; in other cases, like allergies, it is simply a nuisance.

What Causes Allergies?

Allergies are an unnecessary response by the immune system to a substance that is actually harmless. If a patient in Carlsbad has an allergic reaction, it is the result of antibodies that trigger the release of histamines—chemicals that enter the bloodstream and cause swelling, inflammation, itchiness and mucus production. These histamines cause the telltale symptoms of allergies and may also cause rashes or hives.

For people in the regions around La Jolla and the surrounding North County regions, allergies may occur seasonally or year-round in. Pollens from trees, grasses and weeds are common allergens that often cause hay fever. Year-round allergens in Houston include animal dander, dust mites, mold, medications, chemicals and insect bites. Allergy sufferers experience a variety of cold-like symptoms including congestion, runny nose, sneezing, itchiness, postnasal drip, watery eyes and sinus pain or pressure.

The Best Allergy Treatments

If you suffer from allergies in Carlsbad, visiting allergist at a specialty clinic is the best approach to finding lasting relief. Over-the-counter allergy medications such as antihistamines and decongestants are only a temporary solution, as these medications simply disguise symptoms rather than actually improve them. Allergy medications are not a cure for allergies, and their effectiveness is limited.

If you want a long-term solution for allergy management, schedule an appointment with a La Jolla or Carlsbad allergist. Allergy clinics provide skin testing to determine which allergens are causing your symptoms; this is an important first step in finding an allergy treatment that will work best for you. Allergy in California shots and sublingual drops are both methods of immunotherapy treatment. Immunotherapy is an effective method that helps reduce the severity of allergy symptoms over time by helping your body build up immunity to the problematic substance.

If you’re tired of dealing with the misery allergies bring, contact an allergist today. Allergy and immunology specialists offer the relief you need for a healthy and happy life—indoors and out!