Trick or Treat: Hearing Safety Tips for Halloween
Halloween is one of the most fun holidays for kids and adults alike. Taking the kids trick-or-treating is a beloved pastime that many of us look forward to. Hearing safety comes into play this time of year because some events may expose children or adults who are hard of hearing to sounds they cannot process. Plus, some loud sounds at certain Halloween events may damage the ears and increase the risk of hearing loss.
In this post, we will cover key Halloween hearing safety tips to help you and your loved ones enjoy the spooky season.
Importance of Hearing Safety During Halloween
Increased noise levels on Halloween can make it challenging for people with hearing loss to participate in the fun activities. Excessive background noise from music, children shrieking, decorations, and crowds can make it harder for children and adults with hearing loss to fully process their surroundings.
Essential Hearing Safety Tips
Whether you or your child has mild or severe hearing loss, it's important to prepare ahead of time to ensure everyone can confidently trick-or-treat and partake in all the spooky merriment. This can include changing the hearing aid battery before heading out and adjusting its settings to accommodate loud noises or environments, like a Halloween party.
It's also important to wear ear protection at loud events, such as concerts, to avoid noise-induced hearing loss. You can use a sound level meter to check the volume in any location. Sounds at or below 70 dB are considered safe.
Tips for Parents and Guardians
Parents and guardians who are prepping eager trick-or-treaters for the fall festivities can follow these tips to ensure everyone has a great night.
Remove hearing aids before applying face makeup as cosmetics might clog them and prevent them from working.
- Avoid masks that cover the ears to prevent hearing disruptions.
- Before you head out, make sure hearing aids are fully charged so your little one can participate in the fun all night.
- Bring a flashlight if you or your child loses their hearing aids and you need to look for them in the dark.
- Use your hearing aid accessories like a smartphone to adjust sound settings.
- Use a clip-on microphone to attach to yourself or trick-or-treater to enhance hearing and clarity.
Conclusion
Whether you or your child have hearing loss, you can partake in the fun with a little extra preparation. Protecting your ears and staying mindful of hearing needs makes every holiday more enjoyable. Schedule a hearing checkup at any of our Michigan hearing centers before the spooky season at Beltone Skoric Hearing Aid Center for maximum safety.