Have you ever awoke after a night’s sleep and heard birds singing a beautiful song through your open window? Most individuals 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 sing out their favorite melody. The songs of these birds, when they’re all sounding together, are a lovely symphony.
Of course, if you have untreated hearing loss, you might not notice the dawn chorus at all. And that’s unfortunate.
There are lots of amazing sounds during the summer besides birdsongs that you might be missing. And you might be missing those summer sounds because you have hearing loss that’s gone undiagnosed or simply ignored. 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
You most likely think of a very hot sun in a clear blue sky when you think of summer. But if you stick with your imagination a bit longer, you’ll begin incorporating highlights that make this blue sky feel more like summer, the sounds that fill out the day. Some sounds you might think about:
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun sets.
- The sound of birds performing mating songs. (Love songs are not just enjoyed by humans.)
- Something as simple as your grandkids laughing, possibly as they run around the yard or as you watch a baseball game with each other.
- The babbling of a creek or the crashing of waves.
- Bees buzzing about helping nature bloom by pollinating flowers.
You get the idea. There are lots of sounds happening. These are the sounds that fill in your summer, give it quality, and help create that overall vibe. Plus, there is so much joy in these simple sounds themselves.
If these sounds of summer (or any summer sounds) seem different to you these days, it’s likely because a noticeable level of hearing loss has effectively crept up on you. If you have recognized your hearing loss then you need to get something done about it.
Your summer can be more enjoyable with hearing aids
For most people, hearing aids are really about creating connections. They’re about communication. 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 newest models of hearing aids can help you bask in the sounds of summer, and they are equipped with some pretty great built in tech, too. Here are some examples of some of that potent technology:
- Smartphone compatibility: You can connect your hearing aids to your cellphone and start enjoying 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 smartphones.
- Rechargeability: You can recharge your hearing aid while you sleep and get full batteries all through the day. It’s a lot like charging your phone. And when you travel with your hearing aids, it becomes really stress free.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Perhaps you want some music playing while you’re out boating. Well, your hearing aids can be connected to the boat’s stereo using Bluetooth.
- Noise reduction: You’ll want to have hearing aids that can sort through particular sounds (your ears once did this) so you can appreciate those crashing waves without having the traffic behind you amplified too. Modern hearing aids have significant noise reduction capabilities, so you can hear what you actually want to hear.
- 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 makes them simpler to use and more reliable.
- 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. In noisy settings or when filtering out particular sounds, this can be especially convenient.
You can ask us about how your pair of hearing aids are suited to your favorite activities (for instance, you can ask whether you can wear them while you’re going for a swim or hiking up a mountain, that type of thing). Hearing aids frequently don’t play well with water. But you will have a deeper overall summer experience with your hearing aids.
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? And you should also ask, how do I protect my hearing aids from humidity? The answer to both will depend on the model of hearing aid you use.
Maybe avoid these sounds
Some summer sounds, unlike the dawn chorus, will be harmful to your ears and you should be certain to avoid them. These are sounds that are, well, loud! And they’re damaging to everyone’s ears, not just individuals with pre-existing hearing loss. Here are some of those sounds:
- Boat engines: Be careful of how close you get and how long you spend around these engines because they are really loud. Try not to leave the motor idling when you’re fishing. Or, even better, put in some earplugs for the duration of your boat trip.
- Live music: It’s great fun to attend a live music concert but the loud volume can be damaging to your ears. So you might want to exercise some caution and be picky about which shows you attend and use earplugs.
- 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 ears (and limbs). It’s best for your hearing to keep away from fireworks completely.
This is only a partial list. Summer activities for individuals with hearing loss might not include quite as many of those fireworks and loud noise conditions.
That said, you may not be capable of, or even want to, stay away from all loud noises during the summer. So what’s the solution? Wearing ear protection is the best solution. Putting in a set of earplugs before you go to any live music show can mitigate a lot of the damage, for example. You just need to make certain you’re using reliable ear protection.
Appreciate the sounds of summer
If you are dealing with hearing loss, the sounds of summer may feel like they’re growing 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.
Getting the most out of your summer then, may require coming to see us. We can help figure out the state of your hearing and, if needed, help determine what type of hearing aid will best suit your needs.
So start here if you’re ready to appreciate the dawn chorus. Because birdsongs are only the beginning of those incredible summer sounds.
Get the most out of your ears this summer and beyond. Make an appointment today to find out which hearing aids are best for you!