Visiting an amusement park can be a fun and exciting experience, but for individuals with hearing loss, there are certain challenges to consider. Thankfully, many amusement parks now offer accommodations to ensure everyone can enjoy the day to the fullest. At Evergreen Speech and Hearing Clinic, we’ve put together some useful tips to help you make the most of your visit.
Schedule a Visit with an Audiologist Before You Go
If you’re planning a trip to an amusement park, it’s a good idea to schedule a visit with an audiologist before you go. An audiologist can administer a hearing test to assess your hearing and help determine if hearing aids are right for you. With the right hearing aids, you can enhance your ability to hear and enjoy the sounds around you, from the laughter of fellow visitors to the announcements and sounds of the park attractions. Surprisingly, 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids, yet only one in five actually seeks treatment. If you’re unsure whether hearing aids could help, an audiologist can guide you in the right direction.
Ask About Assistive Listening Devices
When you arrive at the amusement park, be sure to ask an employee about assistive listening devices. Many parks provide special accommodations for people with hearing loss, including captioning devices, amplified headphones, or induction loops that sync directly with your hearing aids. These devices can help ensure you don’t miss out on key sounds, announcements, and other auditory cues during your visit.
Enjoy Live Shows with Captioning or ASL Interpreters
Many amusement parks feature live shows, which can include dialogue and music that enhance the experience. However, these performances may be difficult to follow if you have hearing loss. Before the show, inquire whether the park provides American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters or captioning options. Some parks offer captioning devices that provide real-time captions on a portable screen that you can hold in your lap. Alternatively, some shows may display open captions on the large screen, so everyone can follow along with the dialogue.
Hotel Accommodations for Hearing Loss
If you’re staying at a hotel associated with the amusement park, don’t forget to ask about accommodations for guests with hearing loss. Many hotels offer helpful amenities like amplified phones, captioned telephones, lighted alarms, or shake-awake alarms that vibrate to alert you when it’s time to wake up. If there’s an emergency, strobe light smoke detectors may be available for added safety. Be sure to inquire with hotel staff about what options are available during your stay.
Plan Ahead for a More Enjoyable Visit
With a little planning, visiting an amusement park with hearing loss can be a fun and memorable experience. From hearing aids to assistive listening devices, there are many resources available to make sure you can fully engage with the park’s attractions and shows.
If you’re considering hearing aids or need to talk to an expert about accommodations for hearing loss, don’t hesitate to reach out to Evergreen Speech and Hearing Clinic. Our audiologists are here to help ensure you have the best possible hearing experience at the amusement park and beyond.