Have you ever slept with your bedroom window open and woken up to the beautiful sound of birds singing just as the sun comes up? Most people probably aren’t even aware that the name for those bird-songs is the “dawn chorus”. Birds see the sunrise and, for some reason, decide it’s time to sing out their best melody. The songs of these birds, when they’re all sounding together, are a beautiful symphony.
But you may not hear the “dawn chorus” at all if you have neglected hearing loss. Which is a shame.
That’s especially true because it isn’t just birdsong you might be missing out on. Summer is full of awesome sounds. And if you find yourself oblivious to the sounds of summer, it could be because of some undiagnosed (or diagnosed and ignored) 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 likely start off imagining 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 incorporating details that make this blue sky feel more like summer, the sounds that fill out the day. You might be thinking about:
- The sound of frogs croaking at night, particularly in the early hours of the night.
- The sound of birds singing out mating songs. (Humans aren’t the only species to employ love songs.)
- The babbling of a brook or the crashing of waves.
- The buzzing of bees as they fly around pollinating flowers and helping the landscape bloom.
- Something as simple as your grandchildren laughing, perhaps as they run about the yard or as you watch a baseball game together.
You get the point. Summer is alive with wonderful sounds. The feeling and vibe of summer are greatly enhanced by these sounds. And these sounds by themselves bring great happiness.
If these sounds of summer (or any summer sounds) seem different to you these days, it’s probably because a noticeable level of hearing loss has effectively snuck up on you. Once you’ve noticed that issue, the next step is to do something about it.
Hearing aids can help you enjoy summer
For most people, hearing aids are really about strengthening relationships. Communication is key. You’ll be more mindful of what’s happening around you, better able to communicate with people around you, and appreciate the sounds in your world. And at those summer cook-outs, for instance, that’s even more relevant.
Modern hearing aids have some fantastic technology that will help you bask in those summer sounds. For instance, most contemporary hearing aids offer:
- Machine learning: Cutting-edge algorithms (called machine learning) can help your hearing aids adapt to what you need, even before you need it. In loud settings or when filtering out particular sounds, this can be especially handy.
- 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 feature makes them more reliable and simpler to use.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can connect your hearing aids to your cellphone and begin making the most of all sorts of features. Many phones will now permit 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.
- Noise reduction: You’ll want to have hearing aids that can differentiate specific sounds (your ears used to do this) so you can enjoy those crashing waves without having the traffic behind you amplified as well. Noise reduction features are normal in modern hearing aids so you will be able to dial in the sounds you want to hear.
- Rechargeability: Your battery will remain charged throughout the day after charging when you are sleeping at night. It’s much like charging your cellphone. This also makes traveling with hearing aids a lot easier.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Maybe you want some tunes while you’re out on the boat. Well, your hearing aids can be connected to the boat’s stereo using Bluetooth.
You can ask us about how your pair of hearing aids are appropriate for your favorite activities (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 and water-sports don’t always get along. 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 good plan. For example, you should ask, can hot weather impact my hearing aids? And you should also ask, how can I safeguard my hearing aids from humidity? The answer to both questions will depend on the model of hearing aid you have.
Perhaps stay away from 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, loud! And everybody’s ears are vulnerable even if they don’t have pre-existing hearing loss. Here are a few of those sounds:
- Fireworks: Dogs have the right idea. Going to fireworks shows can undoubtedly damage your hearing. Similarly, being near home-launched fireworks can also be damaging to your hearing (and limbs). Best to just avoid fireworks altogether.
- Boat engines: These engines are loud, so use 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 duration of your boat trip.
- Live music: It’s great fun to attend a live music concert but the loud volume can be harmful to your hearing. This means you might want to be particular about which shows you see (rather than going to a festival every weekend).
This is only a partial list. For individuals who are dealing with hearing loss, summer might have a few less of these noisy events.
That said, you might not be able to, or even want to, avoid all loud noises during the summer. So what’s the strategy? Using ear protection is the best option. Putting in a pair of earplugs before you see any live music show can mitigate much of the damage, for instance. But it’s important that the hearing protection you chooses is reliable.
Have fun this summer and enjoy the sounds
If you have hearing loss, the sounds of summer could feel like they’re growing further and further away (even as the heat of summer becomes more and more oppressive). Which means, a lot of the joy of the season could get lost.
Getting the most from your summer then, might mean coming to see us. We can help figure out the state of your hearing and, if necessary, help determine what type of hearing aid will be the best choice for you.
So start here if you’re ready to appreciate the dawn chorus. Because birdsongs are only the beginning of those amazing summer sounds.
Get the most from your ears this summer and beyond. Call us for a hearing exam and find out if hearing aids are the right choice for you.