July 4th…the very date evokes images
of summer: flags waving, backyard barbeques, ice cream, home town parades and
amazing fireworks displays celebrating our nation’s independence. It should be
a fun, patriotic display of colors and designs in the night sky, but for kids
whose hearing is extra sensitive to sound, it ends up being a torturous event.
The loud popping of the firework explosions at unexpected moments creates
anxiety and panic. Add to that the additional noisemakers on July 4th such as
firecrackers, and this day of celebration for most people becomes a painful day
for a child with sensitivities (and a challenging day for his family).
What can you do?
Aside from avoiding firework
displays altogether, here are some ways to enjoy them:
• First, see if
you can watch a fireworks display on TV or DVD before going to a live display.
Letting your child understand what a fireworks display is all about will help
decrease anxiety. Sometimes towns offer fireworks displays on the weekend after
the 4th so you can view a TV display beforehand.
• Park a distance
away from the crowds and firework display, and stay in your car. The noise may
be muffled enough to allow your child to enjoy the visual display without being
close to the noise. Your child will also feel more protected.
• Have your child
use ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones. With the ear plugs, he can still
hear some noises and conversations, but the offensive sounds will be
significantly decreased.
• Alternatively,
have your child listen to his favorite music (either with ear buds or on the
car radio) as the fireworks are going on. It will help camouflage the offending
sounds.
Remember, your child cannot help
being hyper-sensitive to sound. It is not something he can control. It is
painful and upsetting for him to be around sounds that hurt his ears. So,
learning how to enjoy events on his terms is key to being able to attend or
participate.
For a longer term solution, speak
with your child’s pediatrician about possible treatments. Also, email AskUs@marchofdimes.com
and request additional resources. We can refer you to a list of books written
for children (to help them understand why they feel sensitive) as well as books
written for adults (to help you understand your child’s sensory issues). We’re
happy to help you!
We hope everyone has a safe and
happy 4th of July holiday!
Note: This post is part of the weekly series Delays and
disabilities – how to get help for your child. It was started in January
2013 and appears every Wednesday. While on News Moms Need and click on “Help for your child” in the Categories menu on
the right side to view all of the blog posts to date (just keep scrolling
down). We welcome your comments and input.
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