Have you ever slept with the window in your bedroom open and awoke to the lovely sound of birds singing just as the sun comes up? Most individuals probably aren’t even aware that the name for those bird-songs is the “dawn chorus”. For whatever reason, birds see the sun coming up and decide to start belting out their favorite songs. Each species has its own set of chirps and notes, and together, they sound like a symphony of nature.
Of course, if you have untreated hearing loss, you may not hear the dawn chorus at all. Which is a pity.
There are lots of incredible sounds during the summer besides birdsongs that you may be missing. And you might be missing those summer sounds because you have hearing loss that’s gone undiagnosed or simply dismissed. But you can start to enjoy all of those amazing summer sounds again with the help of a device like a hearing aid.
The sounds of summer
When you think about summer, you probably start off visualizing the sun in a blue sky. And, a very, very hot sun (whew). And then you begin to visualize the summer soundtrack that goes along with this vision. You may be thinking about:
- The sound of your grandkids laughing and playing.
- The buzzing of bees as they fly around pollinating flowers and helping nature bloom.
- The sound of birds performing mating songs. (Humans aren’t the only species to employ love songs.)
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun sets.
- The crashing of waves on the beach (or a babbling brook if you’re in a more landlocked area).
These are only a few examples. Summer is lively with amazing sounds. These are the sounds that fill in your summer, give it texture, and help deliver that overall vibe. Plus, there is so much happiness in these simple sounds themselves.
If these sounds of summer (or any sounds of summer) seem foreign to you these days, it’s probably because an apparent level of hearing loss has effectively crept up on you. Once you’ve detected that issue, the next step is to do something about it.
Your summer can be more enjoyable with hearing aids
For most individuals, hearing aids are really about creating relationships. They’re about communication. They make it easier to talk to others, to hear what’s going on around you, and to appreciate the sounds that you hear. And at those summer barbecues, for example, that’s even more important.
Modern hearing aids have some incredible technology that will help you bask in those summer sounds. 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 environment you find yourself in. This function makes them more effective and easier to use.
- Rechargeability: You can recharge your hearing aid while you sleep and enjoy full batteries throughout the day. It’s much like charging your phone. And when you travel with your hearing aids, it becomes really stress free.
- Noise reduction: You’ll want to get hearing aids that can differentiate particular sounds (your ears once did this) so you can appreciate those crashing waves without having the traffic behind you amplified as well. Modern hearing aids have significant noise reduction capabilities, so you can hear what you really want to hear.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can begin to enjoy all types of features by connecting your hearing aid to your cellphone. Depending on the particular hearing situation, you will be able to control the settings on your hearing aids by utilizing an app you can download on most cell phones.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Perhaps you want some music playing while you’re out on the boat. Just sync the boat’s radio to your hearing aids via Bluetooth.
- Machine learning: Cutting-edge algorithms (called machine learning) can help your hearing aids adjust to what you need, even before you need it. In noisy environments or when eliminating specific sounds, this can be especially convenient.
We can help you learn how your particular hearing needs can be met by your hearing aids (you can ask us if you can take your hearing aids into the water or on a mountain hike for example). Hearing aids and water-sports don’t always play nice together. 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 practical plan. Will your hearing aids have an issue with hot weather, for example? And you should also ask, how can I safeguard my hearing aids from humidity? 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 make sure to avoid them. These are sounds that are, well, loud! And everybody’s ears are at risk even if they don’t have pre-existing hearing loss. Some of those sounds include:
- Fireworks: Dogs have the right idea. Your hearing can definitely be damaged by fireworks. Likewise, being near home-launched fireworks can also be harmful to your hearing (and limbs). Best to just stay away from fireworks completely.
- Live music: Outdoor concerts are a great part of summer, but they can be damaging to your ears. This means you may want to be selective about which shows you see (rather than attending a festival every weekend).
- Boat engines: These engines are loud, so exercise some caution about distance and duration. Try not to leave the motor idling when you’re fishing. Or, better yet, put in some earplugs for the entirety of your boat trip.
This list isn’t exhaustive. For individuals who are coping with hearing loss, summer might have a few less of these loud events.
That said, you may not be able to, or even want to, stay away from all loud noises during the summer. So what’s the strategy? Well, you can wear ear protection. For example, before you go to a live show, put in a pair of earplugs so you can reduce most of the damage. You just need to make sure you’re using reliable ear protection.
Enjoy the sounds of summer
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 making a pit stop with us. We will be able to determine whether your hearing is waning or not, and what type of hearing aid will be best for your situation.
So if you want to enjoy the dawn chorus, that’s where you need to begin. Because birdsongs are just the beginning of those incredible summer sounds.
Get the most out of your ears this summer and beyond. Call us for a hearing exam and find out if hearing aids are the right option for you.