Any hearing aid wearers on ePlaya?

geospyder · Post by **geospyder** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 3:06 pm

This year will be my first year wearing hearing aids to Burningman. Figured I could take them out and bag them during any dust storms. Definitely would clean them each night. I'm wondering if it is wise to bring them. Any suggestions from those of you that wear hearing aids?

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 4:38 pm

I don't know if anyone still checks that "Deaf Burners" thread. It's either in "Get Involved" or in the first sub-forum of 2010. Maybe you could pm the op.

dragonpilot · Post by **dragonpilot** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 5:58 pm

I leave mine at home 'cause I know that the dust is going to ruin them, but then I'm not that hearing impaired...high frequency loss and mostly have trouble in noisy surroundings trying to understand someone talking to me.

Friend of mine can't hear squat w/o her devices, tho...so she must bring hers. Takes them out at the first hint of dusty gusts. Another non-Burner friend takes his on extended sea kayaking trips, but does not wear them on the water, only in camp...we find ourselves shouting at him a lot when we're behind him...

So, depends on your level of hearing loss.

geospyder · Post by **geospyder** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 10:41 pm

dragonpilot wrote:I leave mine at home 'cause I know that the dust is going to ruin them, but then I'm not that hearing impaired...high frequency loss and mostly have trouble in noisy surroundings trying to understand someone talking to me.

Friend of mine can't hear squat w/o her devices, tho...so she must bring hers. Takes them out at the first hint of dusty gusts. Another non-Burner friend takes his on extended sea kayaking trips, but does not wear them on the water, only in camp...we find ourselves shouting at him a lot when we're behind him...

So, depends on your level of hearing loss.

My loss is also high end so I think I'll just leave them at home and ask people to repeat themselves every once in a while.

Post by **Eric** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 2:52 pm

geospyder wrote:My loss is also high end so I think I'll just leave them at home and ask people to repeat themselves every once in a while.

What about bringing them but keeping them sealed up in layers of ziplocks unless you need them? That way you have then if necessary but you don't have to worry about them if you don't need them.

I do it with my contacts/ glasses: I can't read well with my current contacts (good thing my editing is done off-playa), so I bring glasses to put on as soon as I get off playa in Reno. I also have them in case something happens that I need to stop wearing my contacts.

Like everything out there, better to over-plan & not need something than under-plan & get screwed.

lucky420 · Post by **lucky420** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 3:26 pm

Eric, are those hard contact lenses?

Post by **Eric** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 3:32 pm

I use the breathable soft lenses- they can stay in all week; no worries about the dust & fuss trying to put them in every day. I use "Blink-N'-Clean" drops twice a day- once in the morning, once in the evening. Regular contact drops as needed and always carried with me.

I've been doing this since '03 & never had a problem. I've never had to take out my lenses, never had one fall out, and the only inconvenience has been some blurry vision when I first get up & my eyes adjust.

I bring two pairs of contacts (one in, one backup), and I have glasses with me as well, "just in case".

lucky420 · Post by **lucky420** » Tue Feb 15, 2011 3:38 pm

Thanks Eric, I have to wear hard contacts. I don't think I'll chance losing one ($) or getting an eye infection. So it will be either glasses or the "Mr. Magoo" effect for me.

Sorry for the thread drift geo...