Q about my dd's hearing aids

[AbbyKate]

Hi everyone! I haven't been on this site since last year about this time. My then 3 yo dd had just been diagnosed with mild-mod hearing loss and wasn't able to get her aids in time for our trip. We still had a fabulous time!! And a very belated thanks for all of y'all's support and wisdom!

So its time again for our yearly trip, and this year she's been wearing her aids for almost a year! ( I think she got them the week after our trip last year.) I'm wondering about a couple of things.

First, could any of y'all who wear hearing aids tell me what you are able to hear at the shows? Does it help to sit close where you can see the performer's lips (assuming they have lips that move

Second, are there any attractions that are just too loud with your hearing aids on? DD is pretty sensitive about loud stuff when her aids are in, and I can avoid some "freak-outs" if I know in advance.

Third can I use the telecoil for her FM system in place of the ALD and get the same effect?

Lastlly, is there any need for me to get the GAC that I keep reading about on this site? Thanks so much in advance for any help you can give. Looking forward to another amazing trip!

 

[Talking Hands]

I really prefer not to wear my hearing aids while in the parks. Mine are very small and I worry if one would fall off that I wouldn't find it again. But I am ASL as well as oral so I can use the interpreters and read well so can use various captioning devices.
The parade at Animal Kingdom can be very loud so she may prefer to have them off for that if her loss is mild. (mine is a 35db loss in one ear and 30 db in the other on last teating but I think it is worse now as I have had to turn them up recently)
I do not know about using the t-coils instead of ALDs but email
Mark Jones and he may be able to answer your question.

 

[NancyO]

My 11 year old son has worn bi lat aids since he was 6 for his moderate to profound loss due to radiation for a brain tumor.
He is also mildly retarted. We give him as much control as is reasonable as to when he wants to wear them. ALWAYS to school of course. He does wear them most of the time otherwise.
Keep in mind children hate to be different and may feel like all these new people are looking at the. I think a FM system is a bit of overkill on a fun day.
As far as loud noises go. Common sense needs to prevail. If you think its loud just help her to turn them off without removing them and them turn them back on when the loud noise has passed. You can't anticipate all loud noise so she will learn to cope with it.
Sometimes, just the visual stimuli is enough for hearing imp children as I believe their other senses are much sharper then those of us without a loss.
I would see no need for a pass as that is more for people with mobility, stamina, and behavior issues.
Happy Blessing to you.

 

[Talking Hands]

Nancy You are good for allowing your son leeway as to when to wear his hearing aids.
As you say always for school.
I had something funny happen to me. I am a temporary instructor and work with the HI class frequently. I arrived on the bus ramp to pick up the kids one morning and because it is quite loud I had my aids in my pocket instead of in my ears. As the kids arrived I noticed one did not have his aids on and was fussing at him (in sign). He looked and me and signed back "where are your hearing aids? If I have to have mine on you need to wear yours too."
Guess he told me. So I do wear my aids for work and school but often leave them off otherwise.

 

[SueM in MN]

For the GAC (Guest Assistance Card), it is a way to let the CMs know that you have need for some type of assistance. Things that are visible, like a cane, walkeer or wheelchair, they will be able to provide accomidation without having a GAC. It's more for invisible things. If you find that you will need to sit in the front for your DD to be able to lipread, the GAC might help you get there (although for most shows, it's just sit whereever you want). But, many of the shows don't have charaacters with lips (as someone mentioned) so you might not be in any need of that.

 

[AbbyKate]

Thanks for y'all's input. I heard from Mark - He let me know that the ALDs have a built in loop, so I'll be able to use the t-switch on her hearing aids and access the direct sound that way. Abigail's hearing loss is 65db, so without her hearing aids she misses alot, especially speech. And her behavior is generally poor if she doesn't have them in, so she'll definitely wear them in the parks. I have little sweatsocks that fit over them to help with the discomfort when its hot (but with any luck it won't be too hot when we're there in March Just thought of this: Do I need to take them out for Splash Mountain so they don't get wet? Talk to y'all soon!

 

[Terry&Janet]

Hi

I would advise that for any water ride the hearing aids are taken out

You do get surprisingly wet on most of them - wetter than you think - and it just isn't worth the risk

Janet

 

[cofey]

I have severe HL and both the AK parade and Spectromagic are extremely LOUD to me -- even with my HAs turned off. If your DD is sensitive about extremely loud noises, could you keep volume on aids turned down til your DD requests that they be louder?

Of the water rides I have been on, IASW and The Land (at Epcot) are totally non-splashy. I would suggest removing HA's for all other rides.

Another suggestion: be sure to pack Dri-aid and put HAs in it every night to help protect them. If too much humidity gets into HAs, it can make them no-op until they have a chance to dry out (which can take days).

Hope you have a great trip.