Have you ever woken up after a night’s sleep and heard birds singing a pleasant song through your open window? Most individuals probably aren’t even aware that those bird songs are called the “dawn chorus”. For whatever reason, birds see the sun rising and decide to start singing their favorite songs. The songs of these birds, when they’re all singing together, are a lovely symphony.
But you may not hear the “dawn chorus” at all if you have untreated hearing loss. Which is a shame.
That’s especially true because it’s not just birdsong you might be missing out on. Summer is full of amazing sounds. And you might 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 may help you appreciate and more fully enjoy your summer.
The sounds of summer
When you think about summer, you most likely begin by imagining the sun in a blue sky. And, a really, really hot sun (whew). 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 brook if you’re in a more landlocked area).
- The buzzing of bees as they fly around pollinating flowers and helping nature bloom.
- The sound of birds performing mating songs. (Love songs are not just enjoyed by humans.)
- Something as basic as your grandchildren laughing, maybe as they run about the yard or as you watch a baseball game with each other.
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun goes down.
These are only a few examples. Summer is lively with amazing sounds. The feeling and vibe of summer are greatly enhanced by these sounds. And these sounds in and of themselves bring great happiness.
If these sounds of summer (or any summer sounds) seem foreign to you these days, it’s likely because a noticeable level of hearing loss has successfully snuck up on you. Once you’ve noticed that issue, the next step is to take action.
Hearing aids can help you enjoy summer
Building relationships is what hearing aids are really all about for most. They’re about communication. They make it easier to talk to others, to hear what’s going on around you, and to appreciate the sounds that you hear. And that’s particularly important at those summer barbecues, for example.
Contemporary hearing aids have some fantastic technology that will help you savor those summer sounds. Here are some examples of some of that potent technology:
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Boating on the lake and want to listen to some tunes? Just connect the boat’s radio to your hearing aids via Bluetooth.
- Rechargeability: You can recharge your hearing aid while sleeping and get full batteries all through the day. Basically, you can charge your hearing aids in the same way you charge your cellphone. This also makes vacationing with hearing aids much easier.
- Machine learning: Cutting-edge algorithms (called machine learning) can help your hearing aids adapt to what you need, even before you need it. This is particularly convenient when filtering sounds or in a noisy setting.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can start to appreciate all kinds of features by syncing your hearing aid to your cellphone. Depending on the particular hearing situation, you will be able to control the settings on your hearing aids by utilizing an app you can download on most cell phones.
- Automatic programming: You can program your modern hearing aids to automatically change settings depending on the time of day or setting you find yourself in. This function makes them more effective and easier to use.
- Noise reduction: You’ll want to have hearing aids that can sort through particular sounds (your ears once did this) so you can appreciate those crashing waves without having the traffic behind you amplified as well. Modern hearing aids have significant noise reduction features, so you can hear what you actually want to hear.
You can ask us about how your pair of hearing aids are suited to your favorite adventures (you can ask us whether you can bring your hearing aids into the water or on a mountain hike for example). Hearing aids and water-sports don’t always get along. But as a whole, your hearing aids will make your summer an all around richer experience.
Also, asking us basic questions about your hearing aid model will be a good plan. Will your hearing aids have a problem with hot weather, for example? Also, does humidity have any impact on my hearing aid and how can I safeguard it? The answer to both questions will depend on the model of hearing aid you have.
Maybe 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 steer clear of them. These are sounds that are, well, loud! And everyone’s ears are at risk even if they don’t have pre-existing hearing loss. Some of those sounds include:
- Live music: It’s a lot of fun to go and see a live music concert but the loud volume can be damaging to your ears. This means you may want to be particular about which shows you see (rather than attending a festival every weekend).
- Boat engines: These engines are loud, so exercise some caution about proximity and duration. Try not to leave the motor running when you’re fishing. Or, better yet, pop in some earplugs for the entirety of your boat trip.
- Fireworks: Dogs have the right idea. Attending fireworks shows can definitely harm your ears. This includes both commercial and home launched fireworks. It’s best for your hearing to keep away from fireworks completely.
This is only a partial list. Summer activities for people who have hearing loss may not include quite as many of those fireworks and loud noise conditions.
Having said that, you may 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 set of earplugs before you see any live music show can minimize much of the damage, for example. But it’s essential that the hearing protection you chooses is reliable.
Have fun this summer and enjoy the sounds
If you have 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). Which means, a lot of the joy of the season could pass you by.
Getting the most from your summer then, might require making a pit stop with us. We will be able to figure out whether your hearing is waning or not, and what type of hearing aid will best suit your needs.
So begin here if you’re ready to appreciate the dawn chorus. Because birdsongs are only the beginning of those incredible summer sounds.
Get the most out of your ears this summer and beyond. Call us for a hearing test and discover if hearing aids are the right option for you.