Have you ever slept with your bedroom window open and awoke to the wonderful sound of birds singing just as the sun comes up? Most people probably don’t even know that those bird songs are called the “dawn chorus”. Birds see the sunrise and, for some reason, decide it’s time to sing out their best melody. Each species has its own kind of song, and together, they sound like a symphony of nature.
Of course, if you have neglected hearing loss, you might not notice the dawn chorus at all. And that’s unfortunate.
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 cases is that a device like a hearing aid may help you appreciate and enjoy your summer days more fully.
Summer sounds
When you think about summer, you most likely begin by imagining the sun in a blue sky. And, a very, very hot sun (whew). And then you start to visualize the summer soundtrack that comes with this vision. Some sounds you may think about:
- Bees buzzing about helping nature bloom by pollinating flowers.
- Something as basic as your grandkids laughing, perhaps as they run about the yard or as you catch a baseball game together.
- The sound of birds chirping, especially in the spring during, ahem, mating season. (Love songs are not just appreciated by humans.)
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun sets.
- The crashing of waves on the beach (or a babbling creek if you’re in a more landlocked area).
You get the point. Summer is alive with wonderful sounds. These are the sounds that fill in your summer, give it texture, and help establish that overall vibe. And these sounds by themselves bring great happiness.
If these summer sounds (or any summer sounds) seem foreign to you these days, it’s probably because a noticeable level of hearing loss has effectively crept up on you. If you have noticed your hearing loss then you should get something done about it.
Your summer can be more enjoyable with hearing aids
For most, hearing aids are really about creating relationships. Communication is key. You’ll be more aware of what’s happening around you, better able to communicate with those around you, and appreciate the sounds in your world. And that’s especially significant at those summer barbecues, for example.
The newest models of hearing aids can help you savor the sounds of summer, and they come with some pretty amazing built in tech, too. Here are some illustrations of some of that powerful technology:
- Rechargeability: Your battery will remain charged throughout the day after charging while you sleep at night. Basically, you can charge your hearing aids the same way you charge your cellphone. And when you vacation with your hearing aids, it becomes really stress free.
- Machine learning: Fancy algorithms (called machine learning) can help your hearing aids adapt to what you need, even before you know you need it. This is especially handy when filtering sounds or in a loud setting.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can begin to appreciate all types of features by connecting your hearing aid to your smartphone. 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 cell phones.
- 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 through these sounds (in the same way your ears used to do). Noise reduction features are common in modern hearing aids so you will be capable of dialing in the sounds you want to hear.
- 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 makes them easier to use and more reliable.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Maybe you want some music playing while you’re out boating. Well, your hearing aids can be connected to the boat’s stereo using Bluetooth.
You can ask us about how your pair of hearing aids are appropriate for your favorite adventures (for instance, you can ask whether you can use them while you’re swimming or hiking in the country, that kind of thing). Hearing aids frequently don’t get along with water. 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 idea. Will your hearing aids have a problem with hot weather, for instance? 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 use.
Maybe stay away from these sounds
As much as you enjoy the sound of the dawn chorus, there are a few other summer sounds that could actually be harmful to your hearing, so you’ll probably want to stay away from them. These noisy sounds are a real hazard! And they’re harmful to everyone’s ears, not just people with pre-existing hearing loss. Here are a few of those sounds:
- Live music: Outdoor concerts are a fun part of summer, but they can be damaging to your hearing. So you may want to use some caution and be selective about which concerts you attend and use earplugs.
- Fireworks: The dogs are on to something. Going to fireworks shows can certainly damage your hearing. This includes both commercial and home launched fireworks. It’s best for your hearing to keep away from fireworks completely.
- Boat engines: Be careful of how close you get and how long you spend around these engines because they are really loud. When you’re fishing, shut the engine off. Or, even better, pop in some earplugs for the entirety of your boat trip.
This is only a partial list. For people who are coping with hearing loss, summer might have a few less of these loud events.
Having said that, you may not be able to, or even want to, avoid all loud noises over the summer. So what can you do? Wearing ear protection is the best solution. For example, before you go to a live show, put in a pair of earplugs so you can decrease a lot of the damage. But it’s essential that the hearing protection you chooses is reliable.
Have fun this summer and enjoy the sounds
As the heat of summer gets more oppressive, if you are dealing with hearing loss, the summer sounds might feel like they’re getting further away. And that means you could miss a lot of the season’s joy.
So you may need to come in and see us if you want to be certain that you get the most from your summer. We will be able to figure out whether your hearing is failing or not, and what kind of hearing aid will best suit your needs.
So if you want to enjoy the dawn chorus, that’s where you need to begin. And you’ll also be able to enjoy all of the other wonderful summer sounds.
Get a hearing tune-up this summer. Call us for a hearing assessment and find out if hearing aids are the right choice for you.