Have you ever slept with the window in your bedroom open and woken up to the wonderful sound of birds singing as the sun is coming up? Most individuals probably don’t even know that the name for those bird-songs is the “dawn chorus”. Birds see the sunrise and, for some reason, decide it’s time to sing out their favorite melody. The songs of these birds, when they’re all sounding together, are a lovely symphony.
Of course, if you have untreated hearing loss, you may not hear the dawn chorus at all. Which is a shame.
That’s especially true because it isn’t just birdsong you might be missing out on. Summer is full of incredible sounds. And if you find yourself missing out on the sounds of summer, it might be the result of some undiagnosed (or diagnosed and dismissed) hearing loss. The good news in these instances is that a device like a hearing aid could help you appreciate and enjoy your summer days more fully.
The sounds of summer
You likely think of a really hot sun in a clear blue sky when you think about summer. And then you start to imagine the summer soundtrack that goes along with this vision. You might be thinking about:
- The babbling of a stream or the crashing of waves.
- 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 birds performing mating songs. (Humans aren’t the only species to utilize love songs.)
- Something as simple as your grandkids laughing, maybe as they run around the yard or as you catch a baseball game together.
These are only a few examples. There are a bunch of sounds happening. These are the sounds that fill in your summer, give it texture, and help establish that overall vibe. And these sounds in and of themselves bring great joy.
It’s possible that hearing loss may have snuck up on you, especially if these or any other summer sounds sound to be different to you these days. Once you’ve noticed that issue, the next step is to take action.
Your summer can be more enjoyable with hearing aids
Building relationships is what hearing aids are really all about for most. They’re about communication. You’ll be more aware of what’s taking place around you, better able to communicate with those around you, and enjoy the sounds in your world. And at those summer barbecues, for instance, that’s even more important.
Modern hearing aids have some amazing technology that will help you savor those summer sounds. Here are some instances of some of that powerful technology:
- Automatic programming: You can dial in your modern hearing aids to automatically switch settings depending on the time of day or setting you find yourself in. This function makes them more reliable and simpler to use.
- Rechargeability: Your battery will remain charged all day after charging while you sleep at night. It’s a lot like charging your phone. And when you vacation with your hearing aids, it becomes especially hassle free.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can sync your hearing aids to your smartphone and begin making the most of all kinds 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 cell phones.
- 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 normal in modern hearing aids so you will be able to dial in the sounds you want to hear.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Out on the boat and want to listen to some tracks? Just connect the boat’s radio to your hearing aids using Bluetooth.
- Machine learning: Fancy algorithms (called machine learning) can help your hearing aids adjust to what you need, even before you know you need it. This is particularly handy when filtering sounds or in a noisy setting.
You can ask us about how your pair of hearing aids are suitable for your favorite adventures (you can ask us if you can bring your hearing aids into the water or on a mountain hike for example). Hearing aids and water-sports don’t always play nice together. But all in all, your hearing aids will make your summer an all around livelier experience.
You’ll also want to ask us some basic questions about your hearing aid models. For example, you should ask, can hot weather impact my hearing aids? Also, does humidity have any effect 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.
Perhaps avoid these sounds
Some summer sounds, unlike the dawn chorus, will be harmful to your ears and you should make sure to avoid them. These are sounds that are, well, noisy! And everyone’s ears are vulnerable even if they don’t have pre-existing hearing loss. Some of those sounds include:
- Fireworks: Dogs have the right idea. Your hearing can most certainly be harmed by fireworks. Likewise, being near home-launched fireworks can also be harmful to your hearing (and limbs). It’s best for your hearing to keep away from fireworks entirely.
- Live music: It’s great fun to attend a live music concert but the loud volume can be harmful to your ears. So you may want to exercise some caution and be picky about which concerts you attend and wear earplugs.
- 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, an even better plan would be to use some earplugs.
This is only a partial list. Summer fun for individuals who have hearing loss might 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 activity. So what’s the solution? Using ear protection is the best strategy. Putting in a pair of earplugs before you go to any live music show can mitigate much of the damage, for instance. But it’s essential that the hearing protection you chooses is effective.
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.
So you might need to pay us a visit if you want to be certain that you get the most from your summer. We can help figure out the state of your hearing and, if needed, help determine what kind of hearing loss will best suit your needs.
So if you want to appreciate the dawn chorus, that’s where you need to begin. 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 assessment and discover if hearing aids are the right choice for you.
