School is out, and summer vacation is here! While this means barbeques and beach visits for some, for some kids, it means getting to spend a few exciting days or weeks at summer camp.
If you have a child with hearing loss and they are attending summer camp this year, you may be nervous about the challenges they might face. Thankfully, there are ways to help prepare your child to hear their best and have a great time at camp.
Schedule a Checkup with Their Hearing Specialist Before Camp
It’s always a good idea to schedule a checkup with your pediatric hearing specialist before your child heads off anywhere new. They can make sure your child’s hearing aids or other assistive listening devices are working properly and perform any adjustments if necessary.
Pack Hearing Accessories
One of the most important parts of being prepared is making sure your child has everything they need to help their hearing aids or other devices work properly. This may include extra batteries, a cloth or other cleaning tools to care for their device and a protective case to store their hearing aids in when they sleep at night.
Additionally, you may want to pack hearing aid sleeves and clips to help protect their device when they are running around the Georgia wilderness.
Speak With Camp Staff
Research camps beforehand to learn if any in your area have past experience accommodating children with hearing loss. Even if they don’t, you can find out if they show an eagerness to learn about your child’s needs and provide the best experience.
Talk with staff about the devices your child uses, the best ways to communicate with them and discuss any challenges that might occur. Also, make sure to speak with a nurse or other caregiver at the facility so that they can learn how to operate your child’s hearing aids and other devices and know how to get in contact with a hearing specialist in case any issues arise.
Encourage Your Child to Be Open About Their Hearing Loss
Data shows that 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with some degree of hearing loss in one or both ears. So, your child may be the only child with hearing loss at their particular camp. Being open with other kids about their hearing loss and learning to feel comfortable talking about it can increase your child’s confidence and help to educate other kids.
Feeling comfortable about their hearing loss makes it easier for your child to focus on the fun parts of the camp, like arts and crafts and hiking at Camp Lakeside.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our pediatric specialists, contact Augusta – Aiken ENT & Allergy today.