DH has hearing loss

[crystalbleu]

Quick question...

My DH uses a hearing aid due to moderately severe hearing loss. He also has something that his audiologist refers to as recruitment. Basically loud sounds seem abnormally loud to him. He doesn't okay some, but after a while he gets a horrible headache and his mood quickly goes down.

I mentioned to a friend that I hope the lines move quickly because of this since I don't want him to get moody and they suggested we go to guest services and use the disability access.

He also has a diagnoses of PTSD due to his Iraq tour.

I know both of these are disabilities that we deal with, but I am just wondering what everyone on here's opinion is. Do you think it is okay to use this service???

I am worried that someone will say something offensive to us...and my husband doesn't deal with conflict that well because of his PTSD. Sometimes he can blow it off, but I am worried that all of the stress and crowds may make him edgy.

Thanks for your opinions,
Crystal

 

[NotUrsula]

I'm confused -- are you asking about captioning service, or using a GAC to avoid standing in lines?

I have a similar problem with recruitment. My best defense is a small MP3 player, which I use to listen to soft music any time I find myself stuck in the midst of cacaphony.

 

[crystalbleu]

I have looked into the captioning which we will use, but my question is more about the GAC (I didn't know what it was called).

My husband wears one hearing aid and his other ear is completely deaf (or at least they said a hearing aid wouldn't work for that ear). Not sure he would be able to use a MP3 player and help entertain our kids (that and taking his hearing aid off and on would cause it to be lost.)

Does anyone know if the GAC is for people with hearing problems or PTSD?

My neighbor used it for their family due to her daughters Autism. I guess I always thought it was only for physical disabilities.

Just looking for everyones thoughts. I haven't even mentioned this to DH, just thought I would check into it. He may not be willing to do it anyway.

Crystal

 

[livndisney]

I have looked into the captioning which we will use, but my question is more about the GAC (I didn't know what it was called).

My husband wears one hearing aid and his other ear is completely deaf (or at least they said a hearing aid wouldn't work for that ear). Not sure he would be able to use a MP3 player and help entertain our kids (that and taking his hearing aid off and on would cause it to be lost.)

Does anyone know if the GAC is for people with hearing problems or PTSD?

My neighbor used it for their family due to her daughters Autism. I guess I always thought it was only for physical disabilities.

Just looking for everyones thoughts. I haven't even mentioned this to DH, just thought I would check into it. He may not be willing to do it anyway.

Crystal

The GAC is for invisible disabilities. It is not intended to shorten time in line. To avoid standing in line the best plan is to use Fastpass and a good touring plan. There is more info in the sticky's at the top of this thread.

 

[crystalbleu]

I didn't mean to imply I am trying a way to shorten our wait time, just don't want DH to have to wait as long in NOISE and crowds due to his conditions.

Basically, I am just trying to avoid him getting overstressed and overstimulated which will cause him to just send me on rides with our two young kids alone. Since this is a family vacation, I want to try and make sure we can enjoy it as a family as long as possible.

He called 1 month ago to set up an appt with his VA Psychologist to discuss our trip and his concerns... to wrap his head around it and all. Their first available appt was 7 weeks away which is the week after we get back from Disney...go figure.

Thanks again,
Crystal

 

[livndisney]

I didn't mean to imply I am trying a way to shorten our wait time, just don't want DH to have to wait as long in NOISE and crowds due to his conditions.

Basically, I am just trying to avoid him getting overstressed and overstimulated which will cause him to just send me on rides with our two young kids alone. Since this is a family vacation, I want to try and make sure we can enjoy it as a family as long as possible.

He called 1 month ago to set up an appt with his VA Psychologist to discuss our trip and his concerns... to wrap his head around it and all. Their first available appt was 7 weeks away which is the week after we get back from Disney...go figure.

Thanks again,
Crystal

I understand, which is why I suggested making good use of Fastpass and a touring plan. We deal with similar noise/stimulation issues. The best way we have found to avoid waiting a long time in a noisy area is to plan carefully and ride when lines are shorter.

The line for TT has a loud banging in the line area. Lights, Motor Action is not an option due to noise and action. Enclosed lines like Buzz and TSM create a noisy echo. If we use fastpass, we don't have to wait as long in those areas.

 

[crystalbleu]

Thanks for the helpful advice!

 

[KPeveler]

I second the idea of a good touring plan and use of Fastpasses. I have similar problems with noise/crowds, and this has really helped.

I also use the GAC, which helps some, but not in all situations. It is worth speaking with Guest Services about it, but I would not count on it working in all situations. For example, the GAC often does not help at shows - you have to wait in the preshow area until you can enter the theatre. I have found preshows to be especially difficult for me, so I go to a corner or against a wall and have my family form a barricade around me, so that strangers can only crowd me so much.`

This may be something that can help some...

 

[SueM in MN]

There is more information about Guest Assistance Cards in post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
The 'disabled access' for most attractions is the regular line, rather than a separate entrance for guests with disabilities as many people imagine. As was already posted, for shows, the 'quieter waiting place' usually means less people, not less noise. Those areas are usually a roped off area of the 'regular' waiting area or a spot to the side, so whatever noises are in the line will be there too.

I agree that using Fastpasses will be helpful, but you will also want to look into a good touring plan like TourGuide Mike that will help you to be in the least busy part of the least busy park. With 2 young kids, you will probably be spending time in MK. That tends to be a noisy and stimulating park even if you don't ride anything. It is too much stimulation for my DD to be in MK for a full day. Most of the lines have loud music. If you can avoid the busiest meal times your meals will be easier; the restaurants tend to be busier and noisier from about 11:30 to about 1:30 for lunch.

If he needs to escape from the noise, First Aid in any park is quite and calm. He can ask for a cot to lie down or just sit in the waiting area. You can also walk out of the park and go to a nearby resort - Contemporary is within walking distance of MK. Epcot has more quiet places inside the park, but you can also go to the Epcot area resorts from either Epcot or the studios.

 

[crystalbleu]

Because we were worried about some of these issues, we planned our trip to Disneyland rather than MK. I hear it is less chaotic with everything being right there.

Thanks again everyone...I will check into a touring plan!

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I cannot speak to PTSD but my Dad had a bad hearing loss but loud noise did bother him. We used the head pieces that fit over the ears, he could still wear his aid (one ear was totally gone) and it softened the loud noises and still let him ear normal conversation.

They are commonly used at race tracks.

I would suggest checking into it!

Hope something works out for you.

AKK

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I cannot speak to PTSD but my Dad had a bad hearing loss but loud noise did bother him. We used the head pieces that fit over the ears, he could still wear his aid (one ear was totally gone) and it softened the loud noises and still let him ear normal conversation.

They are commonly used at race tracks.

I would suggest checking into it!

Hope something works out for you.

AKK

I was thinking of this, but wasn't sure if it would be helpful since you mentioned your DH helping to entertain your kids. My DD has sensory issues and is especially bothered by noise. I used the kid version of the Peltor earmuffs on our last trip and they helped her immensely. Here's a link to the adult sized Peltor earmuffs:

http://www.amazon.com/Peltor-H10A-O...ref=sr_1_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1298039986&sr=1-3

He could put them on without having to remove his hearing aid, unlike earplugs.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Also take note that a lot of the attractions are VERY loud. So just dealing with it in line will not be the whole issue. You may need to come up with a plan for the attractions as well.

 

[SueM in MN]

Also take note that a lot of the attractions are VERY loud. So just dealing with it in line will not be the whole issue. You may need to come up with a plan for the attractions as well.

That's a very good point.
Many attractions have a lot of sensory overload along with continual loud music and sound effects. My youngest DD really could not tolerate Small World for a long time because of the continual loud music, many colors and movement