Have you ever awoke after a night’s sleep and heard birds singing a pleasant song through your open window? So happens, there’s a term for all those birdsongs: the dawn chorus. For whatever reason, birds see the sun coming up and decide to start singing their favorite songs. The songs of these birds, when they’re all singing together, are a lovely symphony.
Of course, if you have untreated hearing loss, you might not hear the dawn chorus at all. Which is a pity.
That’s particularly true because it’s not just birdsong you might be missing out on. Summer is full of amazing sounds. And if you find yourself missing out on the sounds of summer, it may be because of some undiagnosed (or diagnosed and neglected) hearing loss. The good news in these situations is that a device like a hearing aid could help you appreciate and more fully enjoy your summer.
Summer sounds
You likely think of a very hot sun in a clear blue sky when you think about summer. And then you start to visualize the summer soundtrack that goes along with this vision. Some sounds you might think about:
- Something as basic as your grandchildren laughing, maybe as they run around the yard or as you catch a baseball game together.
- The crashing of waves on the beach (or a babbling creek if you’re in a more inland area).
- The sound of frogs croaking at night, particularly in the early hours of the evening.
- The sound of birds singing, particularly in the spring during, ahem, mating season. (Humans aren’t the only species to employ love songs.)
- The buzzing of bees as they fly around pollinating flowers and helping nature bloom.
These are just a few examples. There are lots of sounds happening. These are the sounds that fill in your summer, give it texture, and help create that overall vibe. And these sounds by themselves bring great happiness.
It’s possible that hearing loss might have crept up on you, particularly if these or any other summer sounds seem to be different to you these days. If you have detected 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 building relationships. Communication is key. They make it easier to talk to others, to hear what’s happening around you, and to enjoy the sounds that you hear. And that’s especially significant at those summer barbecues, for instance.
Contemporary hearing aids have some fantastic technology that will help you bask in those summer sounds. Here are some instances of some of that potent technology:
- Automatic programming: You can dial in your modern hearing aids to automatically adjust settings depending on the time of day or environment you find yourself in. This function makes them more reliable and easier to use.
- Rechargeability: You can recharge your hearing aid while sleeping and get full batteries all through the day. It’s a lot like charging your cellphone. And when you travel with your hearing aids, it becomes especially hassle free.
- Machine learning: Cutting-edge 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.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Perhaps you want some tunes while you’re out on the boat. Well, your hearing aids can be synced to the boat’s stereo via Bluetooth.
- 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 out these sounds (just like your ears once did). Noise reduction features are common in modern hearing aids so you will be able to dial in the sounds you want to hear.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can begin to appreciate all kinds of features by connecting your hearing aid to your cellphone. Depending on the specific hearing situation, you will be able to control the settings on your hearing aids by utilizing an app you can download on most smartphones.
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 wear them while you’re going for a swim or hiking in the country, that sort of thing). Hearing aids usually don’t get along with water. But you will have a deeper overall summer experience with your hearing aids.
Also, asking us basic questions about your hearing aid model will be a good plan. For instance, you should ask, can hot weather impact my hearing aids? Also, does humidity have any impact on my hearing aid and how can I protect it? Depending on the model of hearing aid, the answer to these questions will vary.
Some loud sounds you may want to steer clear of
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 are sounds that are, well, loud! And they’re damaging to everyone’s ears, not just people with pre-existing hearing loss. Here are a few of those sounds:
- Fireworks: The dogs are on to something. Going to fireworks shows can definitely damage your ears. This goes for both commercial and home launched fireworks. Best to simply avoid fireworks completely.
- Boat engines: These engines are loud, so exercise some caution about distance and exposure time. Try not to keep the motor running when you’re fishing. Or, an even better plan would be to use some earplugs.
- Live music: Outdoor concerts are a great part of summer, but they can be damaging to your hearing. This means you might want to be particular about which shows you see (rather than attending a festival every weekend).
This is only a partial list. For individuals who are dealing with hearing loss, summer may have a few less of these noisy events.
That said, you may not be capable of, or even want to, avoid all loud noises during the summer. So what’s the solution? Well, you can wear ear protection. For example, before you go to a live show, put in a set of earplugs so you can decrease most of the damage. But it’s important that the hearing protection you chooses is effective.
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 may seem like they’re getting further away. Which means, a lot of the joy of the season could pass you by.
Getting the most out of your summer then, may require coming to see us. We will be able to identify whether your hearing is waning or not, and what type of hearing aid will best suit your needs.
So start here if you’re ready to appreciate the dawn chorus. And you’ll also be able to enjoy all of the other awesome summer sounds.
Get your hearing tuned up this summer. Call us for a hearing exam and find out if hearing aids are the right choice for you.