Have you ever woken up after a night’s sleep and heard birds singing a wonderful song through your open window? Most individuals probably aren’t even aware that those bird songs are called the “dawn chorus”. Birds see the sunrise and, for some reason, decide it’s time to sing out their best melody. Each species has its own set of chirps and notes, and together, they sound like a symphony of nature.
But you might not notice the “dawn chorus” at all if you have untreated hearing loss. Which is a pity.
There are lots of amazing sounds during the summer besides birdsongs that you may be missing. And if you find yourself oblivious to the sounds of summer, it could be the result of some undiagnosed (or diagnosed and ignored) hearing loss. The good news in these cases is that a device like a hearing aid may help you appreciate and enjoy your summer days more fully.
Summer sounds
You most likely think of a very hot sun in a clear blue sky when you think of summer. But if you stick with your imagination a bit longer, you’ll begin incorporating highlights that make this blue sky seem more like summer, the sounds that fill out the day. You might be thinking about:
- The symphony of frogs croaking at night, particularly in the early hours of the night.
- Something as basic as your grandkids laughing, possibly as they run about the yard or as you watch a baseball game with each other.
- Bees buzzing about helping nature bloom by pollinating flowers.
- The sound of birds performing mating songs. (Humans aren’t the only species to utilize love songs.)
- The crashing of waves on the beach (or a babbling brook if you’re in a more inland area).
These are only a few examples. There are lots of sounds going on. These are the sounds that complete your summer, give it quality, and help create that overall vibe. Plus, there is so much pleasure in these everyday summertime sounds themselves.
It’s possible that hearing loss might have snuck up on you, particularly if these or any other summer sounds sound to be foreign to you these days. Once you’ve detected that issue, the next step is to take action.
Hearing aids can help you enjoy summer
For most, hearing aids are really about strengthening relationships. They’re about communication. They make it easier to talk to others, to hear what’s going on around you, and to enjoy the sounds that you hear. And at those summer barbecues, for example, that’s even more relevant.
The latest models of hearing aids can help you savor the sounds of summer, and they are equipped with some pretty amazing built in tech, too. Here are some instances of some of that powerful technology:
- Noise reduction: If you want to hear the sound of crashing waves, but not the roar of traffic behind you, you’ll want hearing aids that can help you sort out these sounds (in the same way your ears used to do). Modern hearing aids have substantial noise reduction features, so you can hear what you actually want to hear.
- Automatic programming: Contemporary hearing aids can automatically adapt to new settings or times of day, depending on how you program them. This feature makes them more effective and easier to use.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Boating on the lake and want to listen to some tunes? Just connect the boat’s radio to your hearing aids via Bluetooth.
- Rechargeability: You can recharge your hearing aid while sleeping and get full batteries all through the day. Essentially, you can charge your hearing aids the same way you charge your cellphone. And when you vacation with your hearing aids, it becomes especially stress free.
- Machine learning: Your hearing aid can use “machine learning”, which are advanced intelligent algorithms, to adjust to your audio landscape before you even knew it needed to. In noisy environments or when filtering out particular sounds, this can be especially handy.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can sync your hearing aids to your smartphone and begin enjoying 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 learn how your particular hearing needs can be met by your hearing aids (for instance, you can ask whether you can use them while you’re going for a swim or hiking up a mountain, that sort of thing). Hearing aids often don’t get along with water. 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 plan. 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.
Maybe 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 harmful to your hearing, so you’ll probably want to steer clear of them. These are sounds that are, well, noisy! And they’re harmful to everyone’s ears, not just people who 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. When you’re fishing, shut the engine off. Or, an even better idea would be to use some earplugs.
- Fireworks: The dogs are on to something. Your hearing can definitely be harmed by fireworks. Likewise, being near home-launched fireworks can also be damaging to your ears (and limbs). It’s best for your hearing to keep away from fireworks completely.
- Live music: Outdoor concerts are a fun part of summer, but they can be harmful to your hearing. So you might want to exercise some caution and be selective about which concerts you attend and use earplugs.
This list is not exhaustive. Summer fun for individuals with hearing loss might not include quite as many of those fireworks and loud noise situations.
Having said that, you may not be capable of, or even want to, stay away from all loud noises over the summer. So what’s the strategy? Well, you can wear ear protection. Popping in a set of earplugs before you go to any live music show can mitigate much of the damage, for example. 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 becomes more oppressive, if you have hearing loss, the summer sounds may feel like they’re getting further away. 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 necessary, help determine what type of hearing aid will best suit your needs.
So begin here if you’re ready to enjoy 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. Make an appointment today to find out which hearing aids are right for you!