Cruising with a Cochlear Implant

[hamm1207]

My father has a cochlear implant and is considering cruising, but one of his concerns is entertainment. He does okay (not great) with movies, but he's concerned with not being able to enjoy the stage shows. Does DCL have any sort of closed captioning devices for shows--he's used the ones at WDW before and been fine. What have your experiences been cruising with a cochlear implant? Thanks!

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

On our last cruise they had sign interpreters at the main shows. I am not sure if that would help you.

 

[bumbershoot]

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/guests-with-disabilities/

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faq/guests-with-disabilities/hearing-loss/

Might be a good place to start.

 

[lanejudy]

I don't know that DCL has captioning devices for the stage shows, possibly for movies. You can contact DCL Special Services department to request ASL interpreters if he reads sign language. You may be able to arrange for seating near the stage or near a speaker, if that would be helpful. Contact info is:

Disney Cruise Line Special Services
Phone: (407) 566-3602
Email: SpecialServices@disneycruise.com

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[over50visits]

Agreed. Signers are not on all cruises, you need to contact DCL and let them know.

 

[Little Doe]

My husband has a cochlear implant and has no trouble hearing the stage shows. He wears an AB and also has a Phonak hearing aid on the other ear. I hope this helps you.

 

[Little Doe]

Let them know you will need a multi outlet extension cord for the batteries, humidifier, etc. They are very helpful. They can fit your room with a blinking light emergency if needed. Without his "ears" my husband can not hear fire alarm buzzers. ( You won't need it, but can have it.)

 

[Msmit002]

This will be my first cruise with my updated device (I've just been fitted with a Kanso off the ear) and I'm hoping that I'll have better hearing in the MDRs. The theaters hadn't been too much of an issue on past voyages, so I'll be interested to see how this new one does. FWIW, I didn't have much trouble at the movies this weekend, but I also still have some hearing in my other ear so there is that.

 

[quickcat]

My father has a cochlear implant and is considering cruising, but one of his concerns is entertainment. He does okay (not great) with movies, but he's concerned with not being able to enjoy the stage shows. Does DCL have any sort of closed captioning devices for shows--he's used the ones at WDW before and been fine. What have your experiences been cruising with a cochlear implant? Thanks!

We were on the Fantasy in January and they had people signing the live shows. They did a fantastic job!!

 

[hamm1207]

Let them know you will need a multi outlet extension cord for the batteries, humidifier, etc. They are very helpful. They can fit your room with a blinking light emergency if needed. Without his "ears" my husband can not hear fire alarm buzzers. ( You won't need it, but can have it.)

This was what I was looking for! I read the DCL traveling with disabilities, but I was looking for info from someone who's cruised! I would never have thought to request am outlet extension or anything like that. Thank you!

 

[hamm1207]

This will be my first cruise with my updated device (I've just been fitted with a Kanso off the ear) and I'm hoping that I'll have better hearing in the MDRs. The theaters hadn't been too much of an issue on past voyages, so I'll be interested to see how this new one does. FWIW, I didn't have much trouble at the movies this weekend, but I also still have some hearing in my other ear so there is that.

I didn't even think about the dining rooms and how hard it'll be. He wears a hearing aid in his other ear, and going out to eat is still a challenge for him. When needed, he relies on reading lips. How was your hearing on the stage shows? Thank you!

 

[Msmit002]

Quite honestly, I don't remember having trouble, but I will readily admit that I'm a very visual person these days and I'll get caught up with the costumes and the characters and the audio becomes quite secondary. I suppose it is how I've adapted over the years.

Now, I did attend an off-Broadway show recently in my city and I had very little trouble.

I just asked DH. He said the acoustics in the theater when we were on board were actually pretty good. Better than he expected. (So much for my memory. Lol!)

 

[Tara Roth]

We were on the Fantasy in January and they had people signing the live shows. They did a fantastic job!!

My father has a cochlear implant and is considering cruising, but one of his concerns is entertainment. He does okay (not great) with movies, but he's concerned with not being able to enjoy the stage shows. Does DCL have any sort of closed captioning devices for shows--he's used the ones at WDW before and been fine. What have your experiences been cruising with a cochlear implant? Thanks!

have you heard of ALDA (Association of Late Deafen Adults) they may have information about what technology is available.

 

[DCLCrazy64622]

If he’s wearing a cochlear implant, he’s probably not a fluent signer so the interpreters would be useless.

 

[Ktgrum]

They have assistance listening devices and other technology to be used in the theaters for hearing impaired people. We didn’t use any of it as my son was only 3 when we cruised. I do suggest that if he has an fm system for his cochlear implant that you use it in the dining rooms. We found it really helpful as the dining rooms can be a bit overwhelming. We have a phonak roger that we use and phonak makes a roger pen you can put on the table so it’s easier for him to hear conversation at the table with all the background noise.

 

[Nicks80]

Following... I have recently been diagnosed with hearing loss and this will be a concern in the future.