Have you ever woken up 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”. Birds see the sunrise and, for some reason, decide it’s time to belt out their favorite melody. Each type of bird has its own kind of song, and together, they sound like a symphony of nature.
But you might not hear the “dawn chorus” at all if you have neglected hearing loss. Which is a shame.
There are lots of amazing sounds during the summer besides birdsongs that you could be missing. And you may be missing those summer sounds because you have hearing loss that’s gone undiagnosed or simply ignored. But you can start to enjoy all of those wonderful summer sounds again with the help of a device like a hearing aid.
Summer sounds
When you think about summer, you most likely start off visualizing the sun in a blue sky. And, a really, really hot sun (whew). But if you stay in your imagination a bit longer, you’ll start adding details that make this blue sky feel more like summer, the sounds that fill in the day. You might be thinking about:
- The crashing of waves on the beach (or a babbling brook if you’re in a more inland area).
- The sound of birds singing out mating songs. (Humans aren’t the only species to employ love songs.)
- The sound of your grandkids playing and laughing.
- The buzzing of bees as they fly around pollinating flowers and helping nature bloom.
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun goes down.
You get the idea. Summer is lively with amazing sounds. These are the sounds that complete your summer, give it quality, and help deliver that overall vibe. Plus, there is so much joy in these simple sounds themselves.
If these sounds of summer (or any sounds of summer) seem foreign to you these days, it’s likely because a noticeable level of hearing loss has effectively snuck up on you. Once you’ve detected that issue, the next step is to do something about it.
Hearing aids can help you enjoy summer
For most, hearing aids are really about building connections. Communication is key. You’ll be more aware of what’s happening around you, better able to communicate with those around you, and enjoy the sounds in your life. And that’s especially significant at those summer barbecues, for instance.
The latest models of hearing aids can help you bask in the sounds of summer, and they come with some really great built in tech, as well. Here are some instances of some of that potent technology:
- Smartphone compatibility: You can sync your hearing aids to your smartphone and start making the most of all kinds of features. Many cell phones will now enable you to download apps that help you manage the settings on your hearing aids, so you can adjust for birdsong or grandkid’s laughter depending on what you want to hear at that moment.
- 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 used to do). Modern hearing aids have considerable noise reduction capabilities, so you can hear what you actually want to hear.
- Rechargeability: Your battery will stay charged throughout the day after charging while you sleep at night. It’s a lot like charging your cellphone. And when you vacation with your hearing aids, it becomes really hassle free.
- Machine learning: Fancy algorithms (called machine learning) can help your hearing aids adjust to what you need, even before you need it. This is particularly handy when filtering sounds or in a loud setting.
- Automatic programming: Contemporary hearing aids can automatically adapt to new surroundings or times of day, depending on how you program them. This makes them simpler to use and more effective.
We can help you discover how your particular hearing needs can be met by your hearing aids (for instance, you can ask whether you can wear them while you’re swimming or hiking up a mountain, that kind of thing). Hearing aids frequently don’t get along with water. But as a whole, your hearing aids will make your summer an all around richer experience.
Also, asking us basic questions about your hearing aid model will be a practical idea. For example, you should ask, can hot weather affect my hearing aids? And you should also ask, how can I protect my hearing aids from moisture in the air? The answer to both questions will depend on the model of hearing aid you have.
Some loud sounds you may want to avoid
As much as you enjoy the sound of the dawn chorus, there are some other summer sounds that could actually be harmful to your hearing, so you’ll probably want 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. Here are a few of those sounds:
- Fireworks: Dogs have the right idea. Your hearing can definitely be harmed by fireworks. Similarly, being close to home-launched fireworks can also be damaging to your hearing (and limbs). It’s best for your hearing to keep away from fireworks completely.
- Live music: It’s a lot of fun to attend a live music concert but the loud volume can be damaging to your ears. This means you might want to be selective about which shows you see (rather than attending a festival every weekend).
- Boat engines: These engines are loud, so use some caution about distance and exposure time. Try not to keep the motor idling when you’re fishing. Or, better yet, put in some earplugs for the duration of your boat trip.
This is only a partial list. Summer fun for people who have hearing loss may not include quite as many of those fireworks and loud noise conditions.
Having said that, you may not be able to, or even want to, stay away from all loud noises during the summer. So what’s the solution? Using ear protection is the best option. Popping in a pair of earplugs before you go to any live music show can minimize a lot of the damage, for instance. But it’s essential that the hearing protection you chooses is effective.
Enjoy the sounds of summer
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, may require coming to see us. We will be able to identify whether your hearing is failing or not, and what kind of hearing aid will be best for your situation.
So if you want to appreciate the dawn chorus, that’s where you should begin. And you’ll also be able to enjoy all of the other wonderful summer sounds.
Get your hearing tuned up this summer. Make an appointment today to find out which hearing aids are best for you!
