cochlear implants

[lindarae]

Hello, I am a first time user and I am hoping for some help. I will be going to WDW in early May with my two children - YEAH! My 6 year old and 4 year old both have cochlear implants that are body wore. Are there any suggestions or advice regarding the implants on this trip? We have been planning this for 4 years and I want their first time to be Magical and hopefully equipment problem free. Thank you for any suggestions you may have.

 

[skooniebird]

Hello, I am a first time user and I am hoping for some help. I will be going to WDW in early May with my two children - YEAH! My 6 year old and 4 year old both have cochlear implants that are body wore. Are there any suggestions or advice regarding the implants on this trip? We have been planning this for 4 years and I want their first time to be Magical and hopefully equipment problem free. Thank you for any suggestions you may have.

My mom had a cochlear implant done 15 months ago. This was before her last trip to Disney though. If you happen to go thru any metal detectors you just need to let them know. I know my mom carries a card from her Dr. saying she has the implant and therefore can't have any MRI's or anything, and can not get arrested at airports etc if alarms go off. I believe if you are staying on-site you would just need to ask at your hotels desk and someone should be able to give you any info you need. Also there are warning signs for heart conditions etc. before many rides. Wonder if they have any rides-besides water ones, of course, that aren't implant friendly? And if so, are they posted? I would definitely call the Disney mainline or ask at your hotel. And if they have any contraindicated to implants with no signs TELL THEM TO GET ON THE BALL for me. When you come back, could you post anything you find out? I would be interested in knowing since we are planning another trip in 18 months or so with Mom and the whole family.
My mom had been totally deaf for 25 years, having lost her hearing due to the nerves dying from the time she was born until she was 30 and they were completely gone. It's been a challenge "learning to hear" in such a different way all over again. I went with when they turned it on and it was a rainy day in Chicago and the clinic had concrete steps. When we walked out, she was walking down the steps, stopped, and began stomping her feet and screaming "I can hear my feet on the water!" and the next day she let me know that she actually heard herself "tinkle". LOL And this from a 55 yr old grandma of 6! They are amazing things. She actually answers the regular phone sometimes now. The first time I had to look at my phones display because I thought I had the wrong number. We had used the TDD for so many years. I hope your kids LOVE it at Disney. Mom keeps saying she would like to go back now that she can hear things. Have a great time!

 

[Talking Hands]

There is an ALD (Assisted listening device) for CI users. I would be careful on any water rides such as Kali Rapids River Raft and Splash Mountain. Also during the summer there are areas in the lines at AK that have a mist spray. You will find them in some other areas in some of the parks. Might want to remove them for coasters.

 

[teacherforhi]

Students I've had in the past have wrapped their body worn implants in plastic wrap so they didn't have to worry so much about water, considering how hard they are to take off.

 

[mizzkb00]

I'd also be interested in how your trip works out-We will be returning to Disney in Aug 2006 and my 2 yr old son will have had his CI for about 4 motnhs. He was actually hearing on our last trip last year and recently lost his hearing. We get our CI in 5 days! I did forget about the mist thing-will have to ask ABS about that one!