Have you ever slept with the window in your bedroom open and awoke to the lovely sound of birds singing as the sun is coming up? Most people probably aren’t even aware that the name for those bird-songs is 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.
Of course, if you have neglected hearing loss, you might not hear the dawn chorus at all. Which is a shame.
That’s especially true because it isn’t just birdsong you may be missing out on. Summer is full of incredible sounds. 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 situations 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 most likely start off imagining the sun in a blue sky. And, a really, really hot sun (whew). And then you start to visualize the summer soundtrack that goes along with this vision. Some sounds you might think about:
- The sound of birds singing out mating songs. (Love songs aren’t just appreciated by humans.)
- The buzzing of bees as they fly around pollinating flowers and helping nature bloom.
- The sound of your grandchildren playing and laughing.
- The symphony of frogs croaking at night, particularly in the early hours of the evening.
- The crashing of waves on the beach (or a babbling creek if you’re in a more inland area).
You get the point. Summer is lively with wonderful sounds. The experience and vibe of summer are significantly enhanced by these sounds. Plus, there is so much joy in these simple sounds themselves.
It’s possible that hearing loss may have crept up on you, particularly if these or any other summer sounds sound to be different to you these days. If you have detected your hearing loss then you need to get some help with it.
Hearing aids can help you enjoy summer
Building connections is what hearing aids are really about for most. They’re about communication. You’ll be more aware of what’s taking place around you, better able to communicate with people around you, and appreciate the sounds in your world. And that’s particularly significant at those summer barbecues, for example.
Modern hearing aids have some incredible technology that will help you bask in those summer sounds. Here are some illustrations of some of that potent technology:
- Noise reduction: You’ll want to have hearing aids that can differentiate particular sounds (your ears once did this) so you can enjoy those crashing waves without having the traffic behind you amplified too. Modern hearing aids have considerable noise reduction features, so you can hear what you actually want to hear.
- Rechargeability: You can recharge your hearing aid while sleeping and enjoy full batteries throughout the day. It’s much like charging your cellphone. This also makes traveling with hearing aids a lot easier.
- 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 particularly handy when filtering sounds or in a noisy environment.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can connect your hearing aids to your cellphone and start making the most of all sorts of features. Depending on the specific hearing situation, you will be able to manage the settings on your hearing aids using an app you can download on most smartphones.
- Automatic programming: Modern hearing aids can automatically adjust to new surroundings or times of day, depending on how you program them. This feature makes them more effective and simpler to use.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Perhaps you want some music playing while you’re out on the boat. Well, your hearing aids can be synced to the boat’s stereo via Bluetooth.
We can help you discover how your particular hearing needs can be met by your hearing aids (you can ask us whether you can bring your hearing aids into the water or on a mountain hike for instance). Hearing aids and water-sports don’t always play nice together. But you will have a richer overall summer experience with your hearing aids.
You’ll also want to ask us some standard questions about your hearing aid models. Will your hearing aids have an issue with hot weather, for example? And you should also ask, how can I safeguard my hearing aids from humidity? 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 hearing and you should be certain to avoid them. These loud sounds are a real hazard! And everyone’s ears are vulnerable even if they don’t have pre-existing hearing loss. Some of those sounds include:
- Live music: Outdoor concerts are a big part of summer, but they can be damaging to your ears. So you may want to use some caution and be picky about which concerts you attend and wear earplugs.
- Boat engines: These engines are loud, so exercise some caution about proximity and exposure time. When you’re fishing, turn the engine off. Or, even better, put in some earplugs for the entirety of your boat trip.
- Fireworks: The dogs are on to something. Your hearing can definitely be harmed by fireworks. This includes both commercial and home launched fireworks. It’s best for your hearing to stay away from fireworks entirely.
This list isn’t exhaustive. Summer fun for individuals who have hearing loss may not include quite as many of those fireworks and loud noise conditions.
That said, you might not be capable of, or even want to, avoid all loud noises during the summer. So what’s the solution? Well, you can use ear protection. Putting in a pair of earplugs before you go to any live music show can mitigate a lot of the damage, for instance. You just need to make sure you’re using reliable ear protection.
Enjoy the sounds of summer
If you are dealing with hearing loss, the sounds of summer may feel like they’re getting further and further away (even as the heat of summer gets more and more oppressive). 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 out of your summer. We can help figure out the state of your hearing and, if needed, help determine what type of hearing aid will be the best choice for you.
So if you want to enjoy the dawn chorus, that’s where you should begin. Because birdsongs are only the beginning of those incredible summer sounds.
Get a hearing tune-up this summer. Make an appointment today to find out which hearing aids are right for you!