Have you ever slept with your bedroom window open and woken up to the lovely sound of birds singing just as the sun comes up? So happens, there’s a name for all those birdsongs: 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.
But you might not hear the “dawn chorus” at all if you have untreated hearing loss. And that’s sad.
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 dismissed. But you can begin 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 likely start off 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 start incorporating details that make this blue sky seem more like summer, the sounds that fill out the day. Some sounds you may think about:
- The buzzing of bees as they fly around pollinating flowers and helping nature bloom.
- The sound of birds singing, especially in the spring during, ahem, mating season. (Love songs are not just appreciated by humans.)
- The sound of your grandchildren laughing and playing.
- The babbling of a stream or the crashing of waves.
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun sets.
These are just a few examples. Summer is alive with amazing sounds. These are the sounds that fill in your summer, give it quality, and help deliver that overall vibe. Plus, there is so much pleasure in these simple sounds themselves.
If these summer sounds (or any summer sounds) seem foreign to you these days, it’s most likely because an apparent level of hearing loss has effectively snuck up on you. Once you’ve detected that problem, the next step is to take action.
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 appreciate the sounds that you hear. And that’s especially 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 amazing built in tech, as well. For example, most contemporary hearing aids offer:
- Noise reduction: You’ll want to have hearing aids that can sort through particular sounds (your ears used to do this) so you can enjoy those crashing waves without having the traffic behind you amplified too. Modern hearing aids have considerable noise reduction capabilities, so you can hear what you really want to hear.
- Machine learning: Cutting-edge algorithms (called machine learning) can help your hearing aids adjust to what you need, even before you know you need it. This is particularly convenient when filtering sounds or in a noisy environment.
- Rechargeability: You can recharge your hearing aid while sleeping and enjoy full batteries throughout the day. It’s much like charging your phone. This also makes vacationing with hearing aids a lot easier.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can start to appreciate all kinds of features by connecting your hearing aid to your cellphone. 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.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Out on the boat and want to listen to some tunes? Well, your hearing aids can be synced to the boat’s stereo via Bluetooth.
- Automatic programming: You can dial in your modern hearing aids to automatically adjust settings depending on the time of day or setting you find yourself in. 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 use them while you’re swimming or hiking up a mountain, that kind 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 idea. For example, you should ask, can hot weather affect my hearing aids? Also, does humidity have any impact on my hearing aid and how can I safeguard it? Depending on the model of hearing aid, the answer to these questions will vary.
Some loud sounds you may want to avoid
As much as you enjoy 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 stay away from them. These are sounds that are, well, noisy! And they’re damaging to everyone’s ears, not just those who have pre-existing hearing loss. Some of those sounds include:
- Live music: It’s a lot of fun to go and see a live music concert but the loud volume can be harmful to your hearing. This means you may want to be selective about which shows you see (rather than going to a festival every weekend).
- Boat engines: Be careful of how close you get and how long you spend near these engines because they are very loud. Try not to leave the motor running when you’re fishing. Or, an even better idea would be to use some earplugs.
- Fireworks: Dogs have the right idea. Your hearing can most certainly be damaged by fireworks. Furthermore, being near home-launched fireworks can also be harmful to your ears (and limbs). It’s best for your hearing to keep away from fireworks completely.
This list is not exhaustive. Summer fun for people with hearing loss may not include quite as many of those fireworks and loud noise situations.
But even with hearing loss you most likely won’t want to stay away from every noisy summer activity. So what’s the solution? Wearing ear protection is the best solution. Putting in a pair of earplugs before you go to any live music show can mitigate a lot of the damage, for instance. But it’s essential that the hearing protection you chooses is effective.
Have fun this summer and enjoy the sounds
If you are dealing with hearing loss, the sounds of summer may feel like they’re getting further and further away (even as the heat of summer gets more and more oppressive). Which means, a lot of the joy of the season could pass you by.
So you might need to come in and see us if you want to make sure you get the most from your summer. We will be able to figure out whether your hearing is failing or not, and what type of hearing aid will be best for your situation.
So start here if you’re ready to appreciate the dawn chorus. Because birdsongs are only the beginning of those awesome summer sounds.
Get the most out of your ears this summer and beyond. Make an appointment today to find out which hearing aids are right for you!