Halloween is right around the corner. You have probably picked out the perfect pumpkin to carve, enjoyed your fair share of pumpkin spice, and now decided what the kids will dress up as to go trick-or-treating. But, if you have impaired hearing or hearing loss, it’s important to be mindful and prepared to have a fun and memorable Halloween night. With the proper steps and following our guidelines below, enjoying Halloween with hearing loss is achievable and likely.
Mask options
Consider face paint in place of a mask. Adjusting or removing masks can dislodge hearing aids and run the risk of potentially losing them. But, if you do plan to wear a mask or costume that covers your ears, make sure that you test-fit everything before wearing it on Halloween night. This way, you have time to make proper adjustments if needed. Also, if you are set on wearing a mask, it’s a great idea to find a way to attach your hearing aids to the mask. If they dislodge, they will still be attached to the mask.
Don’t lose power
Before leaving the house, be sure to bring an extra pair of batteries, or, if you wear reachable aids, that you have them fully charged. The last thing you want is to head out for a night of fun or trick-or-treating and have your hearing aids stop working and miss out on the enjoyment. Colder weather can shorten the life of a battery. If you plan on spending a decent amount of time outside, you should bring a few spare batteries with you, just to be safe.
Be seen
Are you planning to go out in the dark soon? If you have plans to trick or treat, it’s important to ensure you are visible to passing vehicles. Halloween costumes can be dark and make it difficult for drivers to see you, so it’s highly recommended to stick a piece of reflective tape somewhere on you or your bag. This will help you stay visible to cars and reduce the risk of any accidents. In addition, there is always a chance that you may not hear a vehicle coming your way, so carrying a flashlight is also a good idea. This can help you navigate dark pathways and steps safely.
Protect your hearing aids against cold weather
When the weather gets cold and frost appears on the pumpkins in your neighborhood, keeping your ears covered with a hat or ear warmers is essential. However, make sure that your ear coverings don’t put any pressure on your hearing aids and that you can still hear well with your cold-weather gear on. This is particularly important for children who must stay with the group and listen for instructions.
Whether you’re outfitting a big or little goblin with hearing loss, keep these Halloween safety tips in mind So that you both can enjoy your night.