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Barriers and facilitators to air travel among adults with hearing loss: a scoping review

George Kweku Danful¹, Sarah Pignac², Elizabeth M Fitzpatrick^1,3

¹School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.

International Journal of Audiology

|November 6, 2025

Abstract

Objective:

To summarise the air travel experiences of adults with hearing loss, identifying barriers, facilitators, and implications for accessibility.

Design:

A scoping review guided by Arksey and O'Malley's framework. Relevant databases (Medline, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) and gray literature were searched. Two independent reviewers screened the titles, abstracts, and full texts based on the inclusion criteria. Extracted data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Study Sample:

Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, originating from the USA, Australia, Brazil, and Taiwan, and published between 2008 and 2023.

Results:

Three main themes emerged: communication barriers, accessibility challenges, and emotional impacts. These themes were mapped across the four stages of the air travel journey: pre-travel, airport, in-flight, and post-flight. Key facilitators included real-time digital updates, improved signage, travel companions, and assistive technologies.

Conclusions:

Adults with hearing loss face barriers during air travel that affect their travel experience and emotional well-being. While some facilitators were identified, there remains a need for increased awareness and implementation of inclusive practices within the aviation industry. Future research should explore the effectiveness of policy interventions and evaluate airport and airline compliance with accessibility guidelines.

Keywords:

Accessibility adults air travel airlines airport hearing loss

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