Have you ever slept with the window in your bedroom open and woken up to the lovely sound of birds singing just as the sun comes up? Most individuals probably aren’t even aware that the name for those bird-songs is the “dawn chorus”. For whatever reason, birds see the sun rising and decide to start belting out their favorite songs. Each type of bird has its own set of chirps and notes, and together, they sound like a symphony of nature.
But you might not notice the “dawn chorus” at all if you have neglected hearing loss. Which is a pity.
That’s particularly true because it isn’t just birdsong you may be missing out on. Summer is full of incredible sounds. And if you find yourself missing out on the sounds of summer, it may be because of some undiagnosed (or diagnosed and neglected) hearing loss. But you can start to enjoy all of those amazing summer sounds again with the help of a device like a hearing aid.
The sounds of summer
You likely think of a really hot sun in a clear blue sky when you think of summer. But if you stay in your imagination a bit longer, you’ll start incorporating highlights that make this blue sky feel more like summer, the sounds that fill in the day. You might be thinking about:
- The sound of birds singing out mating songs. (Humans aren’t the only species to employ love songs.)
- The symphony of frogs croaking at night, especially in the early hours of the night.
- The buzzing of bees as they fly around pollinating flowers and helping the landscape bloom.
- The crashing of waves on the beach (or a babbling brook if you’re in a more inland area).
- The sound of your grandkids playing and laughing.
You get the point. There are a bunch of sounds going on. These are the sounds that complete your summer, give it texture, and help establish that overall vibe. And these sounds in and of themselves bring great happiness.
It’s feasible that hearing loss may have snuck up on you, especially if these or any other summer sounds sound to be foreign to you these days. Once you’ve detected that problem, the next step is to do something about it.
Your summer can be more enjoyable with hearing aids
For most, hearing aids are really about strengthening connections. They’re about communication. They make it easier to converse with others, to hear what’s going on around you, and to appreciate the sounds that you hear. And at those summer barbecues, for example, that’s even more important.
The newest models of hearing aids can help you savor the sounds of summer, and they come with some really great built in tech, too. Here are some illustrations of some of that potent technology:
- Smartphone compatibility: You can sync your hearing aids to your cellphone and start enjoying all kinds of features. Depending on the particular hearing situation, you will be able to manage the settings on your hearing aids by utilizing an app you can download on most smartphones.
- Rechargeability: Your battery will stay charged all day after charging when you are sleeping at night. It’s a lot like charging your cellphone. This also makes vacationing with hearing aids a lot easier.
- Machine learning: Fancy algorithms (called machine learning) can help your hearing aids adjust to what you need, even before you need it. This is particularly handy when filtering sounds or in a noisy environment.
- Automatic programming: You can dial in your modern hearing aids to automatically switch settings depending on the time of day or setting you find yourself in. This makes them simpler to use and more effective.
- Noise reduction: If you want to hear the crashing of the waves, but not the roar of traffic behind you, you’ll want hearing aids that can help you sort out these sounds (in the same way your ears used to do). Modern hearing aids have significant noise reduction capabilities, so you can hear what you really want to hear.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Perhaps you want some music playing while you’re out on the boat. Just connect the boat’s radio to your hearing aids using Bluetooth.
We can help you learn how your specific hearing needs can be met by your hearing aids (for instance, you can ask whether you can use them while you’re going for a swim or hiking up a mountain, that sort of thing). Hearing aids frequently don’t play well with water. But you will have a deeper overall summer experience with your hearing aids.
Also, asking us basic questions about your hearing aid model will be a good idea. Will your hearing aids have a problem with hot weather, for example? And you should also ask, how can I protect my hearing aids from humidity? Depending on the model of hearing aid, the answer to these questions will vary.
Some loud sounds you may want to avoid
Some summer sounds, unlike the dawn chorus, will be harmful to your hearing and you should be certain to avoid them. These are sounds that are, well, noisy! And they’re damaging to everyone’s ears, not just individuals with pre-existing hearing loss. Here are a few of those sounds:
- Live music: Outdoor concerts are a great part of summer, but they can be damaging to your ears. So you might want to exercise some caution and be selective about which shows you attend and use earplugs.
- Boat engines: These engines are loud, so use some caution about proximity and duration. Try not to leave the motor idling when you’re fishing. Or, better yet, pop in some earplugs for the duration of your boat trip.
- Fireworks: Dogs have the right idea. Your hearing can most certainly be damaged by fireworks. This goes for both commercial and home launched fireworks. It’s best for your hearing to stay away from fireworks completely.
This list is not exhaustive. Summer activities for people with hearing loss may not include quite as many of those fireworks and loud noise situations.
That said, you may not be capable of, or even want to, stay away from all loud noises during the summer. So what can you do? Well, you can use ear protection. Popping in a pair of earplugs before you go to any live music show can minimize much of the damage, for instance. But it’s important that the hearing protection you chooses is effective.
Have fun this summer and enjoy the sounds
If you are dealing with hearing loss, the sounds of summer might feel like they’re growing further and further away (even as the heat of summer becomes more and more oppressive). And that means you could miss a lot of the season’s joy.
So you might need to pay us a visit if you want to make sure you get the most out of your summer. We will be able to identify whether your hearing is failing or not, and what type of hearing aid will be best for your situation.
So begin here if you’re ready to appreciate the dawn chorus. And you’ll also be able to enjoy all of the other wonderful summer sounds.
Get the most out of your ears this summer and beyond. Call us for a hearing assessment and discover if hearing aids are the right option for you.