Preparing for Emergencies with Hearing Aids

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Dr. Kade graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and Audiology earning her Doctorate in Audiology in 2002. Her undergraduate and graduate degrees were completed in December, 1990 from Central Michigan University, in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. She received her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in June of 1991. Dr. Kade served as a member of the Board of Director’s for the Michigan Academy of Audiology from 2000 – 2002. She is also a member of the American Academy of Audiology, and the American Doctors of Audiology. She is Board Certified by the American Academy of Audiology.

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Preparing supplies appropriate for someone with hearing loss in case of a natural catastrophe or unanticipated situations in the house is crucial. This kind of forward-thinking can help provide peace of mind and even save a life.

What should an emergency kit have?

Everyone should have the same basic things in their emergency kits, like food, first aid supplies, and clothes. But there should also be other things that can help with communication.

For the emergency kit, you should think about the following:

A flashlight and batteries for people who use a sign language interpreter or need light to read.
A pen and paper, in case of the need for an alternative method of communication.
Batteries can be thrown away for people who use hearing aids or cochlear implants. Keep enough batteries for about four weeks in the emergency kit if you can’t get more or charge the ones you have.
A watertight, sealed container big enough to hold hearing aids to protect them from the weather if there is no shelter.
Communication cards if the person uses sign language. Vital signs like “food,” “water,” “sick,” and “help” would be printed on this card to help first responders or workers at a local shelter understand basic needs.
The phone number of a hearing aid repair facility in case it needs to be fixed.
The number of a local communication center for the deaf and hard of hearing, in case an interpreter is needed.

How should a child who has trouble hearing get ready for an emergency?

Parents of children with hearing loss should talk to their kids about asking for help if their hearing aid or cochlear implant stops working or if they need an interpreter.

It helps to talk about and act out your family’s plans for different kinds of emergencies. Plan and choose a family member or neighbor who can listen to who can text, email, call, or stop by the home of the child with hearing loss in case of a weather-related emergency.

Videos are available for people with hearing loss to help them plan for an emergency. Hearing aids or cochlear implants for children should be covered by a homeowner’s insurance plan in case they get lost or broken.

What devices are there to warn people who can’t hear about possible dangers in their homes?

Fire Safety Alerts: Some devices can shake the bed or flashlights to let a person with hearing loss know if there is a fire or smoke in the house. Most devices work with the smoke detector you already have. Talk to your local fire department or fire marshal about free smoke alarms that are made for people who can’t hear.

Weather Alert Systems: Some radios can tune into the National Weather Service broadcast sent out by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. NOAA also has a service called NOAA Weather Wire Service (NWWS) that sends alerts directly to your email. Some weather alert radios are made for people who have trouble hearing and have closed captions, vibrations, or flashing lights to let you know. This could be helpful for people who can get emails on their cell phones or other personal devices.

Preparing your hearing aids for emergencies

You should also take basic steps to prepare your hearing aids.

Batteries for hearing aids often need to be changed at least once every week since they typically only last a few days. Stocking up on batteries and including a month’s hearing aid batteries in your emergency pack is brilliant. You won’t need to be concerned about losing electricity. Consider purchasing a portable battery charger or an alternative power source if you have rechargeable batteries to have a method to charge them. You may even use the USB port in your car to charge your gadgets.

Investing in a waterproof or sealed container is a smart move. You’ll have a place to store your hearing aids safely in the event of severe weather or the possibility of water damage. You may put them back in when you arrive at a dry location to avoid the fear of water damage.