It’s officially October, which means it’s almost time to find a costume, pick out the best pumpkin from Devine Farms, and get ready to take the kids trick-or-treating.
If your child uses hearing aids to treat their hearing loss, you may want to take a few extra steps before heading out for Halloween.
Factor in Hearing Aids When Choosing a Costume
When it comes time for your child to choose a Halloween costume, steer them away from anything that might interfere with their hearing aids, such as masks that fully cover their ears and make it harder to hear. Also be careful not to get face paint or any other makeup or hair gel on their hearing aids as this could potentially cause damage.
Prepare for Rainy or Cold Weather
If the weather forecast shows a rainy or cold Halloween, you may need to take additional steps to protect your child’s hearing aids. Consider using a hearing aid sleeve or bringing an umbrella if it is going to rain to make sure their device doesn’t get exposed to moisture that could cause damage. Consider bringing their case and a dry, soft cloth as well in case they need to be removed and wiped off.
Check Battery Life
You want to make sure that your child can hear properly when out trick-or-treating. Not only does it make the experience more fun for them, but also increases their safety by allowing them to hear your voice if you’re calling out to them or any potential cars if you are walking in an area where people may also be driving. It’s also not a bad idea to bring some extra batteries with you, just in case!
How Common Is Hearing Loss in Children?
Though many people may assume that hearing loss is mostly a concern for older adults, hearing loss in children is common as well. Some studies have shown that close to 15% of children between the ages of 6-19 have some degree of low or high-frequency hearing loss.
While pediatric hearing loss is often diagnosed in infants, sometimes symptoms do not show up until later. If you have concerns about your child’s hearing and wish to speak with an expert or schedule an appointment for an evaluation, call Carolina Ear Nose & Throat – Sinus and Allergy Center today.