Have you ever woken up after a night’s sleep and heard birds singing a wonderful song through your open window? Most individuals probably don’t even know 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. Each species has its own set of chirps and notes, and together, they sound like a symphony of nature.
But you might not hear the “dawn chorus” at all if you have untreated hearing loss. And that’s sad.
That’s particularly true because it isn’t 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 ignored. But you can start to enjoy all of those wonderful summer sounds again with the help of a device like a hearing aid.
The sounds of summer
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 stick with your imagination a bit longer, you’ll begin adding highlights that make this blue sky seem more like summer, the sounds that fill out the day. Some sounds you may think about:
- The babbling of a stream or the crashing of waves.
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun goes down.
- Something as basic as your grandchildren laughing, perhaps as they run around the yard or as you catch a baseball game together.
- The sound of birds singing out mating songs. (Love songs are not just appreciated by humans.)
- The buzzing of bees as they fly around pollinating flowers and helping nature bloom.
You get the point. There are a bunch of sounds happening. These are the sounds that fill in your summer, give it texture, and help create that overall vibe. Plus, there is so much pleasure in these everyday summertime sounds themselves.
It’s possible that hearing loss may have snuck up on you, particularly if these or any other summer sounds sound to be foreign to you these days. Once you’ve noticed that problem, the next step is to do something about it.
Your summer can be more enjoyable with hearing aids
For most people, 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 cook-outs, for instance, that’s even more important.
The latest models of hearing aids can help you bask in the sounds of summer, and they are equipped with some rather amazing built in tech, too. Here are some examples of some of that potent technology:
- Noise reduction: If you want to hear the sound of crashing waves, but not the thunder 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: Modern hearing aids can automatically adjust to new environments or times of day, depending on how they’re programmed. This feature makes them more effective and simpler to use.
- Machine learning: Fancy algorithms (called machine learning) can help your hearing aids adapt to what you need, even before you need it. This is especially convenient when filtering sounds or in a noisy environment.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Perhaps you want some music playing while you’re out boating. Just connect the boat’s radio to your hearing aids using 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 the same way you charge your cellphone. This also makes traveling with hearing aids a lot easier.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can sync your hearing aids to your smartphone and start 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 by utilizing an app you can download on most smartphones.
We can help you discover how your specific hearing needs can be met by your hearing aids (for example, you can ask whether you can use them while you’re going for a swim or hiking up a mountain, that type of thing). Hearing aids and water-sports don’t always play nice together. 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 practical idea. For example, you should ask, can hot weather affect my hearing aids? And you should also ask, how can I safeguard my hearing aids from moisture in the air? Depending on the model of hearing aid, the answer to these questions will differ.
Some loud sounds you may want to avoid
Some summer sounds, unlike the dawn chorus, will be harmful to your ears and you should make sure to avoid them. These loud sounds are a real hazard! And everybody’s ears are vulnerable even if they don’t have pre-existing hearing loss. Here are some of those sounds:
- Live music: Outdoor concerts are a great part of summer, but they can be damaging to your ears. So you may want to use some caution and be picky about which shows you attend and use earplugs.
- Boat engines: Be careful of how close you get and how long you spend around these engines because they are very loud. Try not to keep the motor idling when you’re fishing. Or, an even better plan would be to put in some earplugs.
- Fireworks: The dogs are on to something. Attending fireworks shows can undoubtedly harm your hearing. Similarly, being close to home-launched fireworks can also be harmful to your hearing (and limbs). Best to simply stay away from fireworks altogether.
This list isn’t exhaustive. Summer fun for individuals with 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, avoid all loud noises over the summer. So what’s the strategy? Wearing ear protection is the best option. Popping in a set of earplugs before you see any live music show can minimize much of the damage, for example. You just need to make sure you’re using effective ear protection.
Have fun this summer and enjoy the sounds
As the heat of summer becomes more oppressive, if you have hearing loss, the summer sounds might feel like they’re getting further away. Which means, much of the joy of the season could pass you by.
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 determine whether your hearing is waning or not, and what type of hearing aid will be best for your situation.
So if you want to appreciate the dawn chorus, that’s where you should begin. 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. Schedule an appointment today to find out which hearing aids are best for you!