Summer Plans for People with Hearing Loss

Hearing loss requires a lifestyle change not just from the person with hearing impairment, but also from the entire family. If you or someone you love has hearing loss, you would know what it is like to cope with the disability as a family. This means that all the activities that you do collectively take into consideration the special needs of the person who suffers from hearing loss. That is the beauty of family.

With summer vacations just around the corner, people across the U.S. are getting ready for fun-filled trips and loads of outdoor activities. Here are some ways that you can make your summer vacations fun for your loved one with hearing loss.

1. Summer camps

Kids with hearing loss should be able to do anything that a typical kid can do – this includes summer camp. As soon as school gets over and summer vacations start, kids start enrolling in their favorite summer camps. There are numerous listings of summer camps that are either designed specifically for children with hearing loss or take into account the special needs of hearing impaired children. Going to such a camp will give your child an excellent chance to socialize with more kids with needs like his own.

2. Dining with family and friends

Vacations are a great time to hang out with family and friends and dine out without the stress of going to bed early. Many people love to eat outdoors and enjoy the warmth of a beautiful summer evening. However, this experience may not be as pleasant for people with hearing loss. Restaurants are typically very loud due to the noise of people chattering and cutlery clattering. In order to make dining comfortable for your loved one with hearing loss, make sure you choose a restaurant that is quiet. Sitting outdoors in a patio or on a terrace can be better for people with hearing loss in addition to being an excellent spot to enjoy a fresh breeze.

3. Amusement parks with accessibility

One of the top summer vacation excursion spots is amusement parks. The thunderous roller coasters and the fun water rides may be no problem to most other people, but can pose serious risks for people with hearing loss. However, picking an amusement park that offers accessibility for hearing loss can significantly reduce this risk. Theme parks like Cedar Point and King’s Island offer Teletype phone at their hotels and front offices for guests with hearing loss. Similarly, some parks also offer assistive listening devices. Six Flags New Jersey has an annual Deaf and Hard of Hearing Awareness Day, which features interpreters throughout the park and collects donations for institutions related to hearing loss.

4. Hearing aid protocol

Whether you are at a water park or in your neighborhood swimming pool, make sure that you follow the right hearing aid protocol when it comes to water activities. If you don’t have water-proof hearing aids, make sure that you take them off before going in the water. Even if you are not planning to take a dip, your hearing aids can become dislodged and fall into the water and get ruined. Therefore, don’t forget to protect them at all times.

Hearing loss doesn’t have to be a big deal when it comes to your summer plans! Try the above suggestions when planning something fun for you to do – without worrying about hearing!