Undiagnosed condition spells theme park disaster
Key Takeaways
Roller coasters can trigger unexpected health risks, as seen when a teen suffered hearing loss due to an undiagnosed condition that was aggravated by the ride's g-force.
Amusement parks can be especially overwhelming for neurodivergent individuals, with sensory overload from crowds, noise, and visuals posing a risk to mental well-being.
While amusement parks are intended to provide fun and thrills, they are not without risks. One teenage girl, Kallyn Long from Mount Pleasant, SC, recently shared that she suffered hearing loss after riding a roller coaster at Carowinds Amusement Park in nearby Charlotte, NC.[] So, how did this happen?
Ultimately, Long would discover the hearing loss, triggered by the roller coaster’s g-force, was the result of a rare, undiagnosed health condition called enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA).[] Because she wasn’t aware of her underlying health condition at the time of the incident, it’s reasonable to assume others could be at risk of a similar fate.
Here’s what happened
In a television interview, Long shared that the roller coaster caused her vestibular aqueduct to detach, resulting in the hearing loss. Through ENT consultations, Long learned that she was born with EVA, although she was completely unaware of it prior to her amusement park trip and subsequent hearing loss.
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) states that “most children with EVA will develop some amount of hearing loss.”[]
If Long had been diagnosed with EVA earlier, she most likely would have known to avoid roller coasters and similar amusement park rides. “Identifying hearing loss as early as possible is the best way to reduce EVA's impact,” notes the NIDCD.
Had she been aware of her condition, Long could have taken certain measures in her daily life to protect herself from any sudden progression of hearing loss. The NIDCD advises the following precautions for people with EVA:[]
Avoid contact sports
Wear head protection for activities with risks for head injury, such as bicycling and skiing
Avoid rapid changes in air pressure
Take nasal decongestants if experiencing congestion during air travel
But this isn’t the only risk inherent in a trip to the theme park. Here are the top-three risks thrill seekers are most likely to encounter on their next vacation.
They can be a sensory nightmare
Amusement parks are full of unfamiliar sights, sounds, and crowds. These factors alone can cause unwanted stress and headaches for just about everyone. And for neurodivergent individuals, this overstimulating environment of an amusement park may lead to sensory overload.
Six Flags’ Safety and Accessibility Guide notes that certain events, such as their Halloween-themed Fright Fest, may pose a risk for some guests, advising that those with “respiratory sensitivities, history of seizures or epilepsy, or sensitivities to latex, loud music and sound effects” should not participate in them.[]
Certain strategies can help both neurodivergent and neurotypical patients and family members who may be susceptible to sensory overload.
The nonprofit organization Understood provides tips to prepare for this highly sensory experience, including visiting during low-attendance times, researching the specific features of each attraction, and bringing eye and ear protection.[] Those planning to visit should be aware of the amount of time they think they can reasonably spend at the park, and be mindful of indications that anyone in their group is becoming anxious or overwhelmed.
Bad weather risks
It’s no surprise that heatstroke can occur during a long day at an amusement park in the hot summer months, especially when people don’t take appropriate breaks to rest and drink water. The Mayo Clinic notes that physical activities in hot conditions pose a risk for heatstroke, adding that dehydration from not drinking enough water under these conditions increases that risk.[]
If untreated, the Mayo Clinic warns, heatstroke can “quickly damage the brain, heart, kidneys and muscles.” And the longer heatstroke goes untreated, the greater the risk of serious complications or even death.
Authors of a study published in the International Journal of Health Geographics warn that heatstroke is “becoming an increasingly serious threat to outdoor activities,” especially “in amusement parks like Disneyland or other popular venues.”[]
In experiments conducted on the planned site of the Tokyo Olympics, they determined the importance of strategically placed relief stations to effectively reduce heatstroke risk.
You don’t want to know what’s in the water
Splash pads and water play areas are distinct from swimming pools, and as such they may not be subject to the same regulations on water sanitation. The CDC warns of health risks posed by possible water contamination by fecal matter, urine, dirt, and debris.[]
And it doesn’t stop there; the CDC reports that fatal infections from the germ Naegleria fowleri—also known as the “brain-eating amoeba”—have been reported from splash pads that were not properly disinfected.
Naegleria fowleri causes the brain infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), which is rare but almost always fatal. Early symptoms of PAM can include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Due to its rapid progression, reports the CDC, “most people with PAM die within 1 to 18 days after symptoms begin.”[]
What this means for you
Amusement parks carry various risks, as highlighted by the case of a South Carolina teen who suffered hearing loss after riding a roller coaster, triggered by an undiagnosed health condition. In addition to ride-related injuries, visitors may face sensory overload, infection, and other hazards, and should take precautions based on their health conditions to stay safe.
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