Have you ever woken up after a night’s sleep and heard birds singing a delightful song through your open window? Most individuals 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 belt out their best melody. Each species has its own set of chirps and notes, 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. Which is a pity.
There are lots of incredible sounds during the summer besides birdsongs that you might be missing. 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 cases is that a device like a hearing aid could help you appreciate and enjoy your summer days more fully.
Summer sounds
When you think about summer, you probably start off imagining the sun in a blue sky. And, a very, very hot sun (whew). But if you stay in your imagination a little longer, you’ll begin adding details that make this blue sky seem more like summer, the sounds that fill in the day. Some sounds you might think about:
- The buzzing of bees as they fly around pollinating flowers and helping the landscape bloom.
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun sets.
- The sound of your grandkids playing and laughing.
- The babbling of a stream or the crashing of waves.
- The sound of birds singing, especially in the spring during, ahem, mating season. (Love songs aren’t just enjoyed by humans.)
You get the point. Summer is lively with amazing sounds. These are the sounds that complete your summer, give it texture, and help deliver that overall vibe. And these sounds in and of themselves bring great happiness.
It’s possible that hearing loss might have snuck up on you, especially if these or any other summer sounds seem to be different to you these days. Once you’ve noticed that issue, the next step is to take action.
Hearing aids can help you enjoy summer
For most, hearing aids are really about creating connections. Communication is key. You’ll be more mindful of what’s happening around you, better able to communicate with people around you, and appreciate the sounds in your life. And at those summer cook-outs, for example, that’s even more relevant.
Modern hearing aids have some incredible technology that will help you bask in those summer sounds. Here are some instances of some of that powerful technology:
- Machine learning: Cutting-edge algorithms (called machine learning) can help your hearing aids adjust to what you need, even before you know you need it. This is particularly convenient when filtering sounds or in a noisy environment.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Boating on the lake and want to listen to some tunes? Well, your hearing aids can be connected to the boat’s stereo using Bluetooth.
- Noise reduction: You’ll want to have hearing aids that can sort through specific sounds (your ears used to do this) so you can appreciate those crashing waves without having the traffic behind you amplified as well. Modern hearing aids have substantial noise reduction capabilities, so you can hear what you actually want to hear.
- Automatic programming: Contemporary hearing aids can automatically adjust to new surroundings or times of day, depending on how they’re programmed. This function makes them more effective and simpler to use.
- Rechargeability: Your battery will remain charged all day after charging when you are sleeping at night. It’s much like charging your cellphone. And when you vacation with your hearing aids, it becomes really stress free.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can sync your hearing aids to your smartphone and start enjoying all sorts of features. Many phones will now enable you to download apps that help you manage the settings on your hearing aids, so you can adjust for birdsong or grandkid’s laughter depending on what you want to hear at that time.
We can help you learn how your particular hearing needs can be met by your hearing aids (for example, you can ask whether you can use them while you’re swimming or hiking up a mountain, that kind of thing). Hearing aids and water-sports don’t always play nice together. But you will have a richer 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? Also, does humidity have any effect on my hearing aid and how can I safeguard it? Depending on the model of hearing aid, the answer to these questions will vary.
Perhaps avoid these sounds
As much as you love the sound of the dawn chorus, there are a few other summer sounds that could actually be damaging to your hearing, so you’ll probably want to avoid them. These are sounds that are, well, loud! And everybody’s ears are vulnerable even if they don’t have pre-existing hearing loss. Here are some of those sounds:
- Boat engines: These engines are loud, so use some caution about proximity and duration. Try not to keep the motor running when you’re fishing. Or, even better, put in some earplugs for the duration of your boat trip.
- Fireworks: The dogs are on to something. Your hearing can most certainly be damaged by fireworks. Likewise, being close to home-launched fireworks can also be harmful to your ears (and limbs). It’s best for your hearing to stay away from fireworks entirely.
- Live music: It’s a lot of fun to go and see a live music concert but the loud volume can be harmful to your ears. So you might want to use some caution and be selective about which concerts you attend and wear earplugs.
This list is not exhaustive. Summer fun for individuals with hearing loss may not include quite as many of those fireworks and loud noise situations.
But even with hearing loss you most likely won’t want to avoid every noisy summer event. So what’s the solution? Well, you can wear ear protection. For instance, before you go to a live show, put in a pair of earplugs so you can minimize most of the damage. But it’s important that the hearing protection you chooses is reliable.
Enjoy the sounds of summer
If you have hearing loss, the sounds of summer may feel like they’re growing further and further away (even as the heat of summer becomes more and more oppressive). And that means you might miss a lot of the season’s joy.
Getting the most out of your summer then, may require making a pit stop with us. We will be able to determine whether your hearing is failing or not, and what kind of hearing aid will be best for your situation.
So begin here if you’re ready to appreciate the dawn chorus. Because birdsongs are just the beginning of those amazing summer sounds.
Get the most out of your ears this summer and beyond. Schedule an appointment today to find out which hearing aids are right for you!