Have you ever slept with the window in your bedroom open and woken up 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 belting out 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 may not hear the dawn chorus at all. Which is a pity.
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 may be due to some undiagnosed (or diagnosed and neglected) hearing loss. But you can begin to enjoy all of those amazing summer sounds again with the help of a device like a hearing aid.
Summer sounds
When you think about summer, you most likely begin by visualizing the sun in a blue sky. And, a really, really hot sun (whew). But if you stick with your imagination a little longer, you’ll begin adding highlights that make this blue sky seem more like summer, the sounds that fill in the day. Some sounds you might think about:
- Bees buzzing about helping nature bloom by pollinating flowers.
- Something as simple as your grandkids laughing, perhaps as they run about the yard or as you catch a baseball game together.
- The babbling of a brook or the crashing of waves.
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun sets.
- The sound of birds singing, particularly in the spring during, ahem, mating season. (Humans aren’t the only species to employ love songs.)
These are just a few examples. Summer is lively with amazing sounds. The feeling and vibe of summer are considerably enhanced by these sounds. And these sounds by themselves bring great joy.
It’s possible that hearing loss may have crept up on you, especially if these or any other summer sounds sound to be foreign to you these days. If you have noticed your hearing loss then you should get something done about it.
Hearing aids can help you enjoy summer
For most, hearing aids are really about building connections. They’re about communication. You’ll be more mindful of what’s happening around you, better able to communicate with those around you, and appreciate the sounds in your life. And that’s particularly significant at those summer barbecues, for example.
The latest models of hearing aids can help you savor the sounds of summer, and they come with some rather great built in tech, as well. Here are some examples 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 effective and easier to use.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Boating on the lake and want to listen to some tracks? Just connect the boat’s radio to your hearing aids via Bluetooth.
- 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 through these sounds (just like your ears once did). Modern hearing aids have significant noise reduction features, so you can hear what you really want to hear.
- Rechargeability: Your battery will stay charged all day after charging when you are sleeping at night. It’s much like charging your phone. And when you vacation with your hearing aids, it becomes really hassle free.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can sync your hearing aids to your smartphone 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 cell phones.
- Machine learning: Your hearing aid can use “machine learning”, which are advanced intelligent algorithms, to adjust to your audio landscape before you even recognized it needed to. This is particularly handy when filtering sounds or in a loud setting.
You can ask us about how your pair of hearing aids are suitable 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 kind of thing). Hearing aids and water-sports don’t always play nice together. But as a whole, 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. Will your hearing aids have a problem with hot weather, for instance? Also, does humidity have any effect on my hearing aid and how can I protect 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 hearing and you should be certain to steer clear of them. These are sounds that are, well, noisy! And everyone’s ears are at risk even if they don’t have pre-existing hearing loss. Some of those sounds include:
- Fireworks: The dogs are on to something. Your hearing can definitely be harmed by fireworks. This goes for both commercial and home launched fireworks. Best to simply stay away from fireworks altogether.
- Live music: Outdoor concerts are a big part of summer, but they can be damaging to your ears. So you might want to use some caution and be picky about which shows you attend and wear earplugs.
- Boat engines: Be cautious of how close you get and how long you spend near these engines because they’re very loud. When you’re fishing, turn the engine off. Or, better yet, pop in some earplugs for the duration of your boat trip.
This list is not exhaustive. For people who are coping with hearing loss, summer may have a few less of these loud activities.
But even with hearing loss you probably won’t want to avoid every loud summer event. So what can you do? Well, you can wear ear protection. For example, before you go to a live show, put in a set of earplugs so you can reduce most of the damage. But it’s essential that the hearing protection you chooses is reliable.
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 might seem like they’re getting further away. Which means, much of the joy of the season could get lost.
So you might need to come in and see us if you want to make sure you get the most out of your summer. We will be able to figure out whether your hearing is failing or not, and what kind of hearing aid will best suit your needs.
So begin here if you’re ready to appreciate the dawn chorus. And you’ll also be able to enjoy all of the other wonderful summer sounds.
Get a hearing tune-up this summer. Call us for a hearing assessment and find out if hearing aids are the right option for you.