No-Sweat Summer Survival Tips for Parents of Children with Hearing Loss
- Jul 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 31
By Nicole Genser, AuD, CCC-A
At CHC, we know kids love summer and all the adventures that come with it. Whether your child is heading to the pool, playing sports, or leaving for camp, a little planning can help ensure they’ll stay connected and included throughout the season, and that their hearing technology is protected.
To help you prepare for summer fun, here are my No-Sweat Summer Survival Tips for Parents of Children with Hearing Loss:
Schedule a summer check-in. Before activities begin, see your child’s audiologist to ensure their hearing devices are functioning properly, including checking the settings, cleaning the devices, and replacing tubing, tone hooks, or other worn components if needed.
Protect devices around water. Most hearing aids and cochlear implants are water-resistant, and some cochlear implants have additional waterproofing options. Cochlear, Advanced Bionics, and MED-EL have excellent resources on this topic.
Reduce moisture buildup. A Dri-Kit can be used daily to help reduce moisture and keep devices functioning properly, especially during the hot and humid summer months.
Plan communication around water activities. Think about how you’ll communicate with your child when their devices are removed at the pool, beach, or waterpark.
Prepare for active outings. Before visiting an amusement park, for example, know which rides are high-speed, involve water, or use over-the-shoulder restraints that may come in contact with your child’s ears. Using a safety clip for these situations can help prevent accidental loss of the device.
Keep devices powered. Make sure your child’s devices are fully charged before day trips, and carry spare batteries or a portable charger.
Protect devices from heat. Avoid leaving hearing devices in a hot car or direct sunlight, as excessive heat can damage electronics.
Avoid residue on devices. Spray sunscreen and bug repellent prior to putting on your child’s devices, or while covering their ears, as these products can clog microphones or leave buildup on devices.
Label devices and accessories. If your child is attending any summer activities, label chargers, waterproof accessories, drying kits, and storage cases with your child’s name. Consider labeling their hearing device as well.
Create a summer emergency kit. Keep a small zippered pouch with essentials such as spare batteries or a charger, cleaning tools, a Dri-Kit, retention clips, and your audiologist’s contact information. CHC offers accessory kits that can be purchased at your next visit!
Finally, encourage your child to practice advocating for their communication needs. Whether your child is attending camp, sports, daycare, or other summer activities, help staff, friends, and peers understand your child’s hearing technology, communication preferences, and ways they can help your child stay connected and included. Together, these steps can help make summer activities more enjoyable and accessible!
Happy summer, everybody!
About the Author
Nicole Genser, AuD, CCC-A, whose primary clinical interests are amplification, aural rehabilitation, and electrophysiology, provides audiological services to both children and adults. She actively contributes to various CHC outreach and community-education initiatives. With a strong foundation in research and advocacy, Dr. Genser has presented and published at both state and national levels on accessibility for young adults and healthcare professionals with hearing loss in postsecondary settings. She earned her Doctor of Audiology degree from Montclair State University and completed her fourth-year residency at CHC. She continues to serve as an executive board member with the New Jersey State Hearing Loss Association of America.
