Muster drill help for kid with sensitive ears

[Jhondy]

Since the mister drill is back in person, do they play the loud alarm sound? How long does that sound last?

I have a will be 4 year old with super sensitive ears to the point that, even with ear protection, fireworks bother her ears. She also hates fire drills and bursts out loudly crying when they practice them at daycare. And even then ships horn bothered her ears so I tried to make sure we weren’t on upper decks at sail away or I held her and helped her cover her ears.

My daughter has been on DCL once but that was when we just had to check in to our muster station. So, I’m trying to think of ways to help prevent her ears…my plan is to bring ear protection and get to our muster station early before the alarm sounds. I’m just hoping we have an outside station so it isn’t as loud. I will also talk with her to let her know it’s going to happen but that will likely give her even more anxiety about it. Any other suggestions anyone has for handling this situation or things that may have worked if you have a kid with sensitive ears?

 

[cvjw]

Yes, they play the loud horn during muster drill now. They do the 7 short bursts like you would hear if there was an actual emergency.

 

[Chica1581]

We used noise canceling headphones made specifically for kids for our 4 year old. We also made sure he was between us during the drill because they wouldn’t let us hold him. Talking to them and watching videos on YouTube before going helped a lot. Hope you enjoy your cruise

 

[auntlynne]

I would start with this information (it is from 2020) and see if they are still permitting this.

I did an internet search for Disney Cruise Autism; this was the first thing that came up.



The important thing for the Muster Drill is that a responsible adult is present.

Where did you go when they did the alarm on your last cruise? (I believe they were still doing that part, just not the gathering).

 

[lanejudy]

I agree with @Chica1581 -- prepare your daughter in advance. Watch YouTube videos, turn the volume up, have her practice wearing earmuffs (we like Peltor Jr brand). It will be loud, like fire alarm at school loud. You can try to be at your muster station early to avoid walking past any of the alarms, but it will still be loud.

You might even try using the earmuffs for daycare fire alarms since that is an issue for her. Maybe leave a pair in her cubby where they can be grabbed quickly. DD did this for a few years.

 

[msmama]

From what I remember they give lots of warning before they actually sound the alarm. And if you let your muster station head know, I'm sure they will give you extra warning, as well. Personally, if it was a huge issue I'd let them know when checking in, and then let the CM actually running the thing know as well. (And it may depend on the person but I've heard of them letting children go back to their rooms, but the whole point is you're going to hear it everywhere so there's no avoiding it all together and during my COVID trip with the muster check in, I still remember it being fairly loud in my room).

 

[Kwami]

For what it's worth, the alarm sounding has nothing to do with the muster drills being in-person. They sounded the same alarms with the digital muster drills, too. The trouble is that you can't hide inside and hear the alarm at a somewhat reduced volume. Even inside, though, it's a pretty loud alarm. Otherwise, it wouldn't be very effective.

You might hear the alarm at other times during the cruise, too, especially if you have a stop at Castaway Cay and you stay on the ship for all or part of the day. They always give a warning, though.

I don't know where you're cruising, but I recently saw a video of the Wonder sailing through dense fog and the ship's horn was sounded every few minutes to warn nearby ships. So, I guess that might be a problem, too.

 

[tvguy]

I would also be concerned for OP's child on any Disney cruise since using the musical horns are a big part of the cruise and they are VERY loud.
Here is a pretty good video of what the musical horns and the muster drill horns sound like.

 

[RedHead0186]

If you have an inside muster station, you'll hear the tone more than the horns. If you're outside, you'll likely hear both (the video posted by @tvguy gives a great idea). Both are loud (because, well, they're designed to be). But they give plenty of notice whenever they need to sound the alarm (both during muster drill and if they test it during the sailing). They also give notice whenever they sound the horns (with the melodies), and advise anyone with sensitive hearing to cover their ears.

I agree too at the muster station you can tell your CM about the situation. No guarantee they'll be able to do anything, but it doesn't hurt to communicate/ask. At worst, being prepared with some good noise cancelling headphones and preparing your child for this by explaining/showing will hopefully help.

 

[soniam]

Maybe over-ear headphones, like the ones used at gun ranges, and earplugs or noise canceling in-ear headphones. You will probably have to double up to really knock out the noise. It drives me up the wall, but I’m an adult and can deal with it. Good luck

 

[Jhondy]

For what it's worth, the alarm sounding has nothing to do with the muster drills being in-person. They sounded the same alarms with the digital muster drills, too. The trouble is that you can't hide inside and hear the alarm at a somewhat reduced volume. Even inside, though, it's a pretty loud alarm. Otherwise, it wouldn't be very effective.

You might hear the alarm at other times during the cruise, too, especially if you have a stop at Castaway Cay and you stay on the ship for all or part of the day. They always give a warning, though.

I don't know where you're cruising, but I recently saw a video of the Wonder sailing through dense fog and the ship's horn was sounded every few minutes to warn nearby ships. So, I guess that might be a problem, too.

That’s odd cause I don’t recall hearing the muster alarm on our cruise this past October. That’s why I assumed it didn’t happen. Is it just 7 loud beeps and that’s it or is it continuous?

 

[Kwami]

That’s odd cause I don’t recall hearing the muster alarm on our cruise this past October. That’s why I assumed it didn’t happen. Is it just 7 loud beeps and that’s it or is it continuous?

It's some number of short tones and then a long tone.

 

[Jhondy]

I would also be concerned for OP's child on any Disney cruise since using the musical horns are a big part of the cruise and they are VERY loud.
Here is a pretty good video of what the musical horns and the muster drill horns sound like.

The horn is very loud and my child does not like it when it goes off. But they don’t sound it often enough that it was a problem. It startled her at the sail away party. And for other sailaways we tried to be down on the promenade deck. She does okay if the loudness isn’t too long but she will tell me that it hurt her ears. It’s the continuous loud sound like a fire alarm that bothers her the most

 

[Jhondy]

It's some number of short tones and then a long tone.

Then maybe I’m worrying for nothing because I don’t recall that at all in October. Actually, I think I do have a vague memory of it, I think we were in our room and I covered her ears until it was over and I just told her a couple times it will be over soon and then it was. It wasn’t very long. If it is not a continuous alarm like a fire drill is then she can get through it

 

[Jhondy]

We used noise canceling headphones made specifically for kids for our 4 year old. We also made sure he was between us during the drill because they wouldn’t let us hold him. Talking to them and watching videos on YouTube before going helped a lot. Hope you enjoy your cruise

Why didn’t they let you hold your 4 year old? My kid will likely be crying and need to be comforted so my plan was to hold her. I didn’t know that would be an issue

 

[Jhondy]

From what I remember they give lots of warning before they actually sound the alarm. And if you let your muster station head know, I'm sure they will give you extra warning, as well. Personally, if it was a huge issue I'd let them know when checking in, and then let the CM actually running the thing know as well. (And it may depend on the person but I've heard of them letting children go back to their rooms, but the whole point is you're going to hear it everywhere so there's no avoiding it all together and during my COVID trip with the muster check in, I still remember it being fairly loud in my room).

Thanks I’ll let the CM know just because I’m sure my kid will be crying. I don’t expect any special accommodations at cause I get that this is an important part of the cruise so in a real emergency we all know what to do. I’m just trying to figure out if there is a way to minimize how loud it is. I didn’t realize the alarm wasn’t a constant alarm. For some reason, when I cruised when like 20 years ago I thought I recalled it being a full on loud alarm that was constant and kept going for quite some time

 

[Jhondy]

I would start with this information (it is from 2020) and see if they are still permitting this.

I did an internet search for Disney Cruise Autism; this was the first thing that came up.

View attachment 764569

The important thing for the Muster Drill is that a responsible adult is present.

Where did you go when they did the alarm on your last cruise? (I believe they were still doing that part, just not the gathering).

She doesn’t have autism or any medical diagnosis. She just struggles with loud noises…and it isn’t even all loud noises but I know alarms bother her so that’s why I’m worried about mister drill. One time we were playing at a park and the tornado sirens went off for a drill. I didn’t realize how close we were to them and she was in my arms head buried crying cause it hurt her ears and when it was over, she just wanted to go home and not play anymore cause she was scared it would go off again. I couldn’t reassure her that it wouldn’t but I also didn’t realize they’d be going off that day so I hadn’t prepared her

 

[Cheburashka]

Since the mister drill is back in person, do they play the loud alarm sound? How long does that sound last?

I have a will be 4 year old with super sensitive ears to the point that, even with ear protection, fireworks bother her ears. She also hates fire drills and bursts out loudly crying when they practice them at daycare. And even then ships horn bothered her ears so I tried to make sure we weren’t on upper decks at sail away or I held her and helped her cover her ears.

My daughter has been on DCL once but that was when we just had to check in to our muster station. So, I’m trying to think of ways to help prevent her ears…my plan is to bring ear protection and get to our muster station early before the alarm sounds. I’m just hoping we have an outside station so it isn’t as loud. I will also talk with her to let her know it’s going to happen but that will likely give her even more anxiety about it. Any other suggestions anyone has for handling this situation or things that may have worked if you have a kid with sensitive ears?

I also have extreme ear sensitivity. Here are some tips:

• The last time I went, it was okay for a member of the stateroom to stay behind in the stateroom as long as another adult attended the drill. Check about this at Guest Services upon boarding, as your child staying in the stateroom is the best bet.
• If your child stays in the stateroom, keep in mind that the alarms will sound in the stateroom, too (not as loud as outdoors, but still loud). She should wait the drill out in the stateroom's bathroom with the door closed, as there is no speaker inside the bathroom. It will still be a bit loud in there, but that's the best place to be onboard. I would recommend she wear earplugs or headphones even in there.
• If she has to attend the drill, go early. If you're running late, alarms might go off while you're in the employee stairwell (they prohibit elevators and open employee stairwells before/during the drill), and that is painfully loud due to the echo effect in that metallic stairwell.
• Indoor muster stations are easier. If your child has to attend muster drill, but you're fortunate enough to have an indoor muster station, tell the cast members seating people about your child's problem, and they'll help you find a place as far from the speakers as possible.
• Prepare her with a combination of foam earplugs and the noise-blocking bulky over-ear headphones. That combination will help make the drill bearable if she has to attend (either an inside or outside muster location).

Feel free to message me about this topic if ever needed. Muster drill is a pain, but it doesn't last long, and can be managed if you're prepared.

 

[Jhondy]

Maybe over-ear headphones, like the ones used at gun ranges, and earplugs or noise canceling in-ear headphones. You will probably have to double up to really knock out the noise. It drives me up the wall, but I’m an adult and can deal with it. Good luck

Yea I’ll bring the ones we have with us. I know I used them for the fireworks last October and she was still bothered and kept her head buried in my shoulder and her hands pushed on her headphones but she made it through and was fine afterwards. At WDW we never stay for fireworks because of her ears but it had been awhile since we saw fireworks so I wanted to try again on the cruise and see if the headphones helped…it was a mom fail moment

 

[Jhondy]

I also have extreme ear sensitivity. Here are some tips:

• The last time I went, it was okay for a member of the stateroom to stay behind in the stateroom as long as another adult attended the drill. Check about this at Guest Services upon boarding, as your child staying in the stateroom is the best bet.
• If your child stays in the stateroom, keep in mind that the alarms will sound in the stateroom, too (not as loud as outdoors, but still loud). She should wait the drill out in the stateroom's bathroom with the door closed, as there is no speaker inside the bathroom. It will still be a bit loud in there, but that's the best place to be onboard. I would recommend she wear earplugs or headphones even in there.
• If she has to attend the drill, go early. If you're running late, alarms might go off while you're in the employee stairwell (they prohibit elevators and open employee stairwells before/during the drill), and that is painfully loud due to the echo effect in that metallic stairwell.
• Indoor muster stations are easier. If your child has to attend muster drill, but you're fortunate enough to have an indoor muster station, tell the cast members seating people about your child's problem, and they'll help you find a place as far from the speakers as possible.
• Prepare her with a combination of foam earplugs and the noise-blocking bulky over-ear headphones. That combination will help make the drill bearable if she has to attend (either an inside or outside muster location).

Feel free to message me about this topic if ever needed. Muster drill is a pain, but it doesn't last long, and can be managed if you're prepared.

Thank you for all the advice. Unfortunately she won’t be able to stay in the room cause she will only be 4 and it is just her and I going. But the other tips, I will definitely try.

My daughter loved our last Disney cruise but we didn’t have the actual muster drill. But I also know, once the drill is over, she will be fine and will go back to having fun. I just gotta prepare her for what will happen and that it isn’t going to happen again and just help her get through it as best as I can.

I’m hoping the cast members will let me hold her cause I know she is going to be upset and if I can’t hold her that is just going to cause her more anxiety