Hearing Impairment and ECV usage

[mullertwin]

I am planning a surprise trip for my 3 boys and I for the end of Sept. My son, age 12, was only diagnosed with moderate-severe hearing loss in his right ear at age 10 1/2. So, he's never been to WDW with his hearing aid. I need an ECV due to back issues and I know how to travel well around the world with it. However, I know that my son's need to hear and my need to sit in the back at certain shows is going to conflict at times. I am especially thinking in regard to the reflective captioning.

I'd also love to hear what people's experiences are regarding the handheld captioning. Since my son's loss was discovered so late in life he doesn't sign so captioning is our only method for extra hearing help.

Oh and what do you think about hearing aids and roller coasters? He is a roller coaster lover and I am so afraid it will fall off on the faster rides. For the wet rides I plan on putting it in a waterproof bag. I've read some posts that suggest he might be more comfortable NOT wearing his hearing aid.

I'd really appreciate any help/info you can give me! You guys are the tops!

 

[Bete]

Anyway, these are a few hints I can share and I'm sure others will chime in. For shows, parades, fireworks, etc. you should go early and get seated where the good ear can be close to a speaker. Sitting closer to the stage is a great help, too when you can do it.

In our case, we lower the volume in her hearing aid when we are in the parks.

I would never take a chance on wearing the hearing aid on a roller coaster, but my mom doesn't ride them; so, I don't have any personal experience on that count.

Since my mom has okay hearing in her so-called good ear we didn't use the captioned hearing devices. I would find that distracting and frustrating; unless, he's really good with them. His attention span has to very good and I would suspect you would need to be very alert with them at Disney. I'm out of my realm here; so, I think others may be able to help you more on this issue.

My mom had plenty of smiles from characters coming up to her, etc. that the poor hearing really didn't affect her enjoyment. It just obviously depends on how bad it is.

 

[matthew&haleysmom]

My DD, 10, wears hearing aides. She has a bi-lateral moderate/severe hearing loss. My mom uses a personal ECV due to multiple back & spine surgeries. DD does not wear her hearing aides to WDW. She claims all of the noise gives her a headache. We chose to sit in the shows with my mom. DD claims the noise level was perfect in the back for her. Also, there is no way I would let DD wear her hearing aides on a roller coaster. I would be too afraid they would get lost. At, $7500 a pair it is just not a chance I would be willing to take.

I would ask you child what they would like to do. Feel free to ask me any questions.

 

[mullertwin]

Thanks SO much for the replies! I will definitely ask him but not until we are on the plane since it's a surprise trip! I think you are right, though, and if he chooses to wear his hearing aid we will definitely take it off on the roller coasters. It might be he will also choose not to wear it in the parks due to the stimulation and the high volume. I appreciate your input!

 

[mom3sonstt]

Do you need to use the ECV in the shows? For some of the shows I park mine outside and just walk in, other times I take it in - just depends on how worn down I am at the time. My husband has been trying to get me to take it in more often - probably more so he doesnt have to wait on me to park it and retrieve it than anything. I don't like taking it in to Lion King only because I don't like sitting down front and center, but the distances involved dont really give me an option of leaving it anywhere else.

 

[Talking Hands]

I would probably turn down the hearing aid. I am hearing impaired and also use a Power Wheelchair. Personally I love going to the shows that are interpreted in sign language but I am fairly fluent in ASL. The sign language fills in on what I miss because of background noise. Often I find that the hearing aids are of little use because of all the background noise and prefer to depend on the interpeting and what I do hear in the parks, then I don't have to worry about losing or getting them wet. Instead of a plastic bag I would suggest using a small, fairly water tight Tupperware container like a Smidget. 1 per hearing aid and carefully tuck them in a purse or packet of the backpack. Do not put them in your pocket because they can easily fall out. Been there and done that.

 

[mullertwin]

Thanks again for the great advice! I have an Aquapac so if I need something waterproof, I'll use that.

 

[newdrama12]

Here is a list of attractions that have reflective captioning: http://allears.net/pl/reflect.htm

Not sure if the list has changed at all though.