October 2024
In the spring of 2023, our two-year-old daughter was diagnosed with moderate to severe hearing loss in both ears. As her parents, we were still figuring out how to negotiate this new reality at home and in public. When Halloween arrived and we prepared to go trick-or-treating, we realized we should have planned more purposefully.
Our young daughter, dressed as Minnie Mouse, hesitantly followed her eager older
brother as they approached the first house on Halloween. While he impatiently knocked and yelled “Trick or Treat!”, our daughter paused in the middle of the path, looking at us with a puzzled expression. We had spent all week preparing her brother for the festivities, but we had failed to properly explain the procedure to our daughter. Recognizing her apprehension, I realized I should have used pictures and role-playing to help her understand what to expect. However, when she saw her brother return with a treat, a smile spread across her face.
She followed closely behind her brother for several houses, then decided she was ready to approach the door. When the door opened, she simply stood and stared. Seizing the moment, I took the opportunity to teach my daughter the sign for “trick or treat.” As we walked, my husband and I discussed the candy, costumes, and decorations with both our children.. It occurred to me how much of the incidental learning that our daughter, who has significant hearing loss, was missing out on, that our son was naturally absorbing. She had two meltdowns – struggling to understand why she couldn’t take an entire bowl of candy and that the spider in someone’s yard was not real. It was an exhausting experience.
When our 2-year-old brought her trick-or-treat bag to me the next day, she was excited to go outside once more. It hadn’t occurred to me that she might not understand that Halloween only happens once a year. We tried our best to explain, but her little self couldn’t process what time meant and would look like. . I attempted to explain using images and sign language, but she was too overwhelmed.. She sat on the floor sobbing and holding her empty bag, unlike her older brother, who realized he would have to wait until the next Halloween.
This year, I’m taking a proactive approach by thoroughly discussing our plans, role-playing scenarios, using visual aids, and repeatedly explaining the details. Repetition is crucial. By starting this process early, I hope to minimize any issues that may arise by the end of the month.
On October 24, 2017, Cochlear published an article by Renee Oehlerking providing 5 steps for a safe and enjoyable Halloween for children with hearing loss. The full article is available on Cochlear’s website which is linked below along with Renee Oehlerking’s 5 steps for a safe Halloween.
1. Prepare your child for Halloween
As Halloween approaches use this time to prepare your child for the festivities they will encounter. Specifically, this is a perfect way to build language, introduce new vocabulary, reinforce appropriate social skills, generate excitement and make sure your child is ready for an evening of fun!
2. Make sure costumes fit properly
Before purchasing a costume, double check that the mask, hat or other accessories fit comfortably and securely around any hearing devices, and leave microphones exposed for sound. Avoid purchasing costumes that may obstruct your child’s hearing or vision as that can lead to unnecessary communication breakdowns or even an accidental fall.
3. Check hearing devices before you leave the house
Make sure all hearing devices are functioning and securely attached. If your child’s hearing device has an indicator light, consider asking your audiologist to turn on the indicator lights ahead of trick-or-treating time. The indicator light can help you ensure your child is hearing while trick-or-treating and so you can see the hearing device in the dark. Remember to use new batteries and pack extra batteries.
4. Use this activity to build language and listening skills
As you trick or treat around your neighborhood use the time to talk to your child about their surroundings, the candy they have received or the different costumes they have encountered. Take the time to point out new sounds they may not have been exposed to as you trick or treat from house to house or use the time to play a listening game.
5. Trick-or-treat with care
Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see your child. Remind your child to look both ways before crossing the street and use established crosswalks wherever possible. Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.October 2024
In the spring of 2023, our two-year-old daughter was diagnosed with moderate to severe hearing loss in both ears. As her parents, we were still figuring out how to negotiate this new reality at home and in public. When Halloween arrived and we prepared to go trick-or-treating, we realized we should have planned more purposefully.
Our young daughter, dressed as Minnie Mouse, hesitantly followed her eager older
brother as they approached the first house on Halloween. While he impatiently knocked and yelled “Trick or Treat!”, our daughter paused in the middle of the path, looking at us with a puzzled expression. We had spent all week preparing her brother for the festivities, but we had failed to properly explain the procedure to our daughter. Recognizing her apprehension, I realized I should have used pictures and role-playing to help her understand what to expect. However, when she saw her brother return with a treat, a smile spread across her face.
She followed closely behind her brother for several houses, then decided she was ready to approach the door. When the door opened, she simply stood and stared. Seizing the moment, I took the opportunity to teach my daughter the sign for “trick or treat.” As we walked, my husband and I discussed the candy, costumes, and decorations with both our children.. It occurred to me how much of the incidental learning that our daughter, who has significant hearing loss, was missing out on, that our son was naturally absorbing. She had two meltdowns – struggling to understand why she couldn’t take an entire bowl of candy and that the spider in someone’s yard was not real. It was an exhausting experience.
When our 2-year-old brought her trick-or-treat bag to me the next day, she was excited to go outside once more. It hadn’t occurred to me that she might not understand that Halloween only happens once a year. We tried our best to explain, but her little self couldn’t process what time meant and would look like. . I attempted to explain using images and sign language, but she was too overwhelmed.. She sat on the floor sobbing and holding her empty bag, unlike her older brother, who realized he would have to wait until the next Halloween.
This year, I’m taking a proactive approach by thoroughly discussing our plans, role-playing scenarios, using visual aids, and repeatedly explaining the details. Repetition is crucial. By starting this process early, I hope to minimize any issues that may arise by the end of the month.
On October 24, 2017, Cochlear published an article by Renee Oehlerking providing 5 steps for a safe and enjoyable Halloween for children with hearing loss. The full article is available on Cochlear’s website which is linked below along with Renee Oehlerking’s 5 steps for a safe Halloween.
1. Prepare your child for Halloween
As Halloween approaches use this time to prepare your child for the festivities they will encounter. Specifically, this is a perfect way to build language, introduce new vocabulary, reinforce appropriate social skills, generate excitement and make sure your child is ready for an evening of fun!
2. Make sure costumes fit properly
Before purchasing a costume, double check that the mask, hat or other accessories fit comfortably and securely around any hearing devices, and leave microphones exposed for sound. Avoid purchasing costumes that may obstruct your child’s hearing or vision as that can lead to unnecessary communication breakdowns or even an accidental fall.
3. Check hearing devices before you leave the house
Make sure all hearing devices are functioning and securely attached. If your child’s hearing device has an indicator light, consider asking your audiologist to turn on the indicator lights ahead of trick-or-treating time. The indicator light can help you ensure your child is hearing while trick-or-treating and so you can see the hearing device in the dark. Remember to use new batteries and pack extra batteries.
4. Use this activity to build language and listening skills
As you trick or treat around your neighborhood use the time to talk to your child about their surroundings, the candy they have received or the different costumes they have encountered. Take the time to point out new sounds they may not have been exposed to as you trick or treat from house to house or use the time to play a listening game.
5. Trick-or-treat with care
Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see your child. Remind your child to look both ways before crossing the street and use established crosswalks wherever possible. Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.