June is the time for the Oregon Renaissance Faire! This beloved festival is on every weekend in June, and it’s an opportunity to wear a fun costume, eat delicious food and participate in activities you can’t see anywhere else (jousting, anyone?). If you have hearing loss, you shouldn’t have to miss out on this iconic event or struggle while attending.
Hearing Challenges at the Ren Faire
Your biggest challenge at the Ren Faire will probably be the background noise from the crowds. The Ren Faire is crowded with excited, energetic people, and while that energy is part of what makes the Ren Faire so special, it can also complicate listening, as it generates excessive background noise for your brain to process.
Moreover, outdoor spaces can distort sound, either echoing off the numerous structures or being swallowed up by the wide-open air. This makes hearing extremely difficult, even for people who don’t have hearing loss.
Tips for Hearing Well
Our biggest suggestion is to wear your hearing aids. Some people may be tempted to leave them at home to avoid the overstimulation that can come with the excessive crowd noise, but we’d encourage you to wear them; just turn background noise suppression up. Better yet, come visit us before you go, and we can program a customized listening setting for crowded outdoor events.
On that note, bring backup hearing aid batteries or chargers. You’ll probably be at the Faire for several hours, if not all day; there’s nothing more disappointing than your hearing aid battery dying in the middle of the fun.
Our other piece of advice is to bring a friend. These events are naturally more fun if you go with a friend, loved one or group of buddies, and they’ll also be incredibly helpful in keeping your bearings and catching things you may miss. (If you haven’t already, send them our Communication Strategies cheat-sheet, as the tips on there will be especially helpful in crowded, loud places!)
Finally, confirm the accommodations in advance. Events like the Ren Faire must be ADA-compliant, so see what is available for you. There could be ASL interpretation, loop systems and assistive listening devices (ALDs) for you to take advantage of.
Have Fun!
We at Oregon Ear, Nose & Throat Center want you to have an excellent time at the Faire. If you have any questions about using your hearing aids in this complex environment, or if you want to get your devices tuned up and programmed before you attend, call us to make an appointment!