Summer can be a season of fun for school-aged children and teens. Many look forward to attending summer camp, going on family vacations, and spending time with friends and loved ones. From building sandcastles at the beach, to cooling off in the pool, or simply running through backyard sprinklers, summer is filled with many opportunities for adventure.
For children who are deaf or hard of hearing, these activities may require a little extra planning to enjoy a safe, active, and memorable summer filled with confidence and fun.
Make Water Safety a Priority
Maintaining close, attentive visual supervision is the most important water safety measure for any child. It may be helpful to introduce your child to the lifeguard as an added layer of safety. Establish visual signals with your child like simple hand gestures (e.g., “come here” or, “stop”) before entering the water. In an emergency, verbal cues may not be effective, especially if hearing devices have been removed for water play, or the environment is noisy.
Whether you’re heading to a playground nearby, a community festival, or going away for a family vacation, planning ahead can make all the difference. Encourage your child to stay aware of their surroundings, especially near roads and bike paths. In crowded areas, establish a designated meeting spot if you become separated.
When traveling, pack a back-up kit with extra batteries or chargers, cleaning supplies, protective cases, and other essentials, and keep hearing devices and accessories in your carry-on when flying. Before your trip, review with your child how you’ll communicate with them if hearing devices need to be removed or unexpectedly stop working.
If your child is attending summer camp or another new activity, take time to prepare both your child and the adults who will be caring for them. Share the communication strategies that work best for your child, as well as those that don’t. Demonstrate how their hearing technology works, explain to staff how your child communicates with, and without it, and the best ways to get their attention.
Consider preparing a short handout with communication tips to share with camp counselors, child care providers, or other caregivers. Finally, encourage your child to speak up for themselves by letting trusted adults know how they communicate best. Remind them that it’s okay to ask questions or ask for help whenever they need it. These same strategies can be applied to ease the transition back to school, especially if your child is working with new teachers or staff.
Summer is a great time for adventure and discovery. By reinforcing safe habits, protecting hearing technology, and practicing confident communication, families and children who are deaf or hard of hearing can focus more on what matters most: spending quality time together and having a fun-filled summer season.
More Resources
Discover more Clarke resources with expert tips to help children who are deaf or hard of hearing make the most of summer:
CSU Donor Spotlight: The Hearst Foundations
Founded by William Randolph Hearst, The Hearst Foundations are national philanthropic resources that fund outstanding nonprofits across education, health, culture, and social services. Their mission focuses on expanding opportunities for people from all backgrounds, allowing them to build healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Clarke is honored to be the recipient of a $125,000 grant from The Hearst Foundations in support of our Birth to Age Three program across all Clarke locations.
This generous gift helps Clarke provide children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families with life-changing education, audiology, and listening and spoken language services that open doors to greater independence, confidence, and possibilities. We are sincerely grateful to The Hearst Foundations for investing in Clarke’s mission. To learn more about our featured donor, visit hearstfdn.org.
References: Beltone Hearing Care Center. (2025, September 24). Waterproof hearing aids: Pros and cons. https://beltonesound.com/waterproof-hearing-aids-pros-and-cons/
