Have you ever awoke after a night’s sleep and heard birds singing a pleasant song through your open window? Most people probably aren’t even aware that those bird songs are called the “dawn chorus”. For whatever reason, birds see the sun coming up and choose to start singing their favorite songs. The songs of these birds, when they’re all sounding together, are a lovely symphony.
But you might not hear the “dawn chorus” at all if you have untreated hearing loss. And that’s unfortunate.
That’s especially true because it’s not just birdsong you may be missing out on. Summer is full of amazing sounds. And if you find yourself oblivious to the sounds of summer, it could be due to some undiagnosed (or diagnosed and neglected) hearing loss. The good news in these situations is that a device like a hearing aid may help you appreciate and enjoy your summer days more fully.
The sounds of summer
When you think about summer, you probably begin by 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 start incorporating highlights that make this blue sky seem more like summer, the sounds that fill out the day. You might be thinking about:
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun sets.
- The sound of your grandchildren laughing and playing.
- The buzzing of bees as they fly around pollinating flowers and helping the landscape bloom.
- The babbling of a creek or the crashing of waves.
- The sound of birds performing mating songs. (Love songs are not just enjoyed by humans.)
You get the point. There are a bunch of sounds happening. The feeling and vibe of summer are significantly enhanced by these sounds. And these sounds by themselves bring great happiness.
If these sounds of summer (or any sounds of summer) seem foreign to you these days, it’s most likely because a noticeable amount of hearing loss has successfully snuck up on you. If you have detected your hearing loss then you need to get something done about it.
Your summer can be more enjoyable with hearing aids
Building relationships is what hearing aids are really all about for most. Communication is key. They make it easier to converse with others, to hear what’s happening around you, and to enjoy the sounds that you hear. And at those summer barbecues, for example, that’s even more important.
The newest models of hearing aids can help you savor the sounds of summer, and they come with some really great built in tech, too. For instance, most modern hearing aids provide:
- Rechargeability: Your battery will stay charged throughout the day after charging while you sleep at night. Basically, you can charge your hearing aids in the same way you charge your cellphone. And when you vacation with your hearing aids, it becomes very stress free.
- 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 makes them easier to use and more effective.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Out on the boat and want to listen to some music? Well, your hearing aids can be connected to the boat’s stereo using Bluetooth.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can connect your hearing aids to your cellphone and start enjoying all kinds of features. Depending on the particular hearing situation, you will be able to manage the settings on your hearing aids using an app you can download on most smartphones.
- 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 (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.
- Machine learning: Fancy algorithms (called machine learning) can help your hearing aids adapt to what you need, even before you need it. In loud environments or when eliminating specific sounds, this can be especially handy.
You can ask us about how your pair of hearing aids are suitable for your favorite adventures (you can ask us whether you can bring your hearing aids into the water or on a mountain hike for instance). Hearing aids often don’t get along with water. But you will have a richer overall summer experience with your hearing aids.
You’ll also want to ask us some basic questions about your hearing aid models. For instance, you should ask, can hot weather impact my hearing aids? And you should also ask, how do I safeguard my hearing aids from moisture in the air? Depending on the model of hearing aid, the answer to these questions will vary.
Maybe stay away from these sounds
Some summer sounds, unlike the dawn chorus, will be harmful to your ears and you should be certain to steer clear of them. These noisy sounds are a real hazard! And they’re harmful to everyone’s ears, not just those with pre-existing hearing loss. Some of those sounds include:
- Live music: Outdoor concerts are a big part of summer, but they can be harmful to your hearing. So you might want to use some caution and be selective about which concerts you attend and wear earplugs.
- Fireworks: Dogs have the right idea. Your hearing can most certainly be harmed by fireworks. This goes for both commercial and home launched fireworks. Best to simply avoid fireworks altogether.
- Boat engines: These engines are loud, so exercise some caution about distance and duration. Try not to keep the motor idling when you’re fishing. Or, an even better plan would be to put in some earplugs.
This is only a partial list. For people who are coping with hearing loss, summer may have a few less of these loud events.
Having said that, you may not be capable of, or even want to, avoid all loud noises during the summer. So what can you do? 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 instance. You just need to make sure you’re using reliable ear protection.
Have fun this summer and enjoy the sounds
As the heat of summer gets more oppressive, if you have hearing loss, the summer sounds might seem like they’re getting further away. And that means you might miss a lot of the season’s joy.
Getting the most out of your summer then, might require coming to see us. We will be able to figure out whether your hearing is waning or not, and what kind of hearing aid will best suit your needs.
So if you want to appreciate the dawn chorus, that’s where you need to begin. And you’ll also be able to enjoy all of the other awesome summer sounds.
Get a hearing tune-up this summer. Schedule an appointment today to find out which hearing aids are right for you!
