Have you ever slept with your bedroom window open and awoke to the lovely sound of birds singing as the sun is coming up? Most people probably aren’t even aware that the name for those bird-songs is the “dawn chorus”. For whatever reason, birds see the sun coming up and decide to start belting out their favorite songs. Each species has its own set of chirps and notes, and together, they sound like a symphony of nature.
Of course, if you have untreated hearing loss, you might not hear the dawn chorus at all. And that’s sad.
There are lots of amazing sounds during the summer besides birdsongs that you may be missing. And you may be missing those summer sounds because you have hearing loss that’s gone undiagnosed or simply dismissed. The good news in these instances is that a device like a hearing aid could help you appreciate and more fully enjoy your summer.
The sounds of summer
You most likely think of a really hot sun in a clear blue sky when you think about summer. And then you begin to imagine the summer soundtrack that comes with this vision. Some sounds you may think about:
- The crashing of waves on the beach (or a babbling creek if you’re in a more inland area).
- The sound of your grandkids laughing and playing.
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun goes down.
- Bees buzzing about helping nature bloom by pollinating flowers.
- The sound of birds chirping, particularly in the spring during, ahem, mating season. (Love songs aren’t just enjoyed by humans.)
You get the idea. Summer is alive with amazing sounds. These are the sounds that complete your summer, give it quality, and help create that overall vibe. Plus, there is so much happiness in these simple sounds themselves.
It’s feasible that hearing loss might have crept up on you, particularly if these or any other summer sounds seem to be foreign to you these days. Once you’ve detected that issue, the next step is to do something about it.
Hearing aids can help you enjoy summer
Building relationships is what hearing aids are really all about for most. Communication is key. You’ll be more mindful of what’s taking place around you, better able to communicate with people around you, and appreciate the sounds in your world. And that’s especially important at those summer barbecues, for example.
The newest models of hearing aids can help you bask in the sounds of summer, and they come with some rather great built in tech, as well. For instance, most modern hearing aids offer:
- Rechargeability: You can recharge your hearing aid while you sleep and get full batteries all through the day. Essentially, you can charge your hearing aids in the same way you charge your cellphone. This also makes vacationing with hearing aids a lot easier.
- Noise reduction: If you want to hear the crashing of the waves, but not the thunder of traffic behind you, you’ll want hearing aids that can help you sort through these sounds (just like your ears once did). Noise reduction features are common in modern hearing aids so you will be capable of dialing in the sounds you want to hear.
- Machine learning: Cutting-edge algorithms (called machine learning) can help your hearing aids adapt to what you need, even before you know you need it. This is particularly handy when filtering sounds or in a loud environment.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Out on the boat and want to enjoy some tunes? Well, your hearing aids can be connected to the boat’s stereo via Bluetooth.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can connect your hearing aids to your smartphone and begin making the most of all sorts of features. Depending on the particular hearing situation, you will be able to manage the settings on your hearing aids using an app you can download on most smartphones.
- Automatic programming: Modern hearing aids can automatically adjust to new environments or times of day, depending on how they’re programmed. This makes them simpler to use and more effective.
We can help you discover how your specific hearing needs can be met by your hearing aids (for instance, you can ask whether you can wear them while you’re going for a swim or hiking up a mountain, that kind of thing). Hearing aids usually don’t play well with water. But in general, your hearing aids will make your summer an all around livelier experience.
Also, asking us basic questions about your hearing aid model will be a practical idea. Will your hearing aids have an issue with hot weather, for instance? Also, does humidity have any impact on my hearing aid and how can I protect it? The answer to both questions will depend on the model of hearing aid you have.
Perhaps avoid these sounds
As much as you love the sound of the dawn chorus, there are some other summer sounds that could actually be harmful to your hearing, so you’ll probably want to stay away from them. These are sounds that are, well, loud! And everyone’s ears are vulnerable even if they don’t have pre-existing hearing loss. Here are some of those sounds:
- Live music: It’s great fun to attend a live music concert but the loud volume can be damaging to your ears. So you might want to use some caution and be selective about which concerts you attend and wear earplugs.
- Boat engines: Be cautious of how close you get and how long you spend near these engines because they are really loud. When you’re fishing, turn the engine off. Or, an even better idea would be to use some earplugs.
- Fireworks: The dogs are on to something. Your hearing can most certainly be damaged by fireworks. Likewise, being near home-launched fireworks can also be harmful to your ears (and limbs). Best to just avoid fireworks altogether.
This is only a partial list. Summer fun for people who have hearing loss might not include quite as many of those fireworks and loud noise conditions.
That said, you might not be able to, or even want to, stay away from all loud noises during the summer. So what can you do? Well, you can wear ear protection. Popping in a pair of earplugs before you see any live music show can mitigate much of the damage, for example. But it’s essential that the hearing protection you chooses is reliable.
Enjoy the sounds of summer
As the heat of summer gets more oppressive, if you are dealing with hearing loss, the summer sounds might seem like they’re getting further away. And that means you might 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 from your summer. We can help identify the state of your hearing and, if necessary, help determine what type of hearing loss will best suit your needs.
So if you want to appreciate the dawn chorus, that’s where you need to begin. And you’ll also be able to enjoy all of the other awesome summer sounds.
Get a hearing tune-up this summer. Schedule an appointment today to find out which hearing aids are best for you!