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 term for all those birdsongs: the dawn chorus. For whatever reason, birds see the sun rising and decide to start belting out their favorite songs. Each type of bird has its own kind of song, and together, they sound like a symphony of nature.
But you may not hear the “dawn chorus” at all if you have untreated hearing loss. Which is a pity.
That’s particularly true because it isn’t just birdsong you may be missing out on. Summer is full of incredible sounds. And you might be missing those summer sounds because you have hearing loss that’s gone undiagnosed or simply neglected. 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 stick with your imagination a bit longer, you’ll start incorporating details that make this blue sky seem more like summer, the sounds that fill in the day. Some sounds you may think about:
- Something as basic as your grandchildren laughing, perhaps as they run around the yard or as you watch a baseball game with each other.
- Bees buzzing around helping nature bloom by pollinating flowers.
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun goes down.
- The crashing of waves on the beach (or a babbling brook if you’re in a more inland area).
- The sound of birds chirping, especially in the spring during, ahem, mating season. (Love songs aren’t just enjoyed by humans.)
You get the idea. There are a bunch of sounds happening. These are the sounds that fill in your summer, give it texture, and help establish that overall vibe. Plus, there is so much happiness in these everyday summertime sounds themselves.
If these sounds of summer (or any sounds of summer) seem different to you these days, it’s likely because an apparent amount of hearing loss has successfully snuck up on you. Once you’ve detected that issue, the next step is to take action.
Hearing aids can help you enjoy summer
Building relationships is what hearing aids are really about for most. 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 that’s particularly important at those summer barbecues, for instance.
Modern hearing aids have some fantastic technology that will help you bask in those summer sounds. Here are some examples of some of that powerful technology:
- Noise reduction: If you want to hear the crashing of the waves, but not the roar of traffic behind you, you’ll want hearing aids that can help you sort through these sounds (in the same way your ears once did). Modern hearing aids have considerable noise reduction features, so you can hear what you actually want to hear.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can sync your hearing aids to your cellphone and start making the most of all sorts of features. 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.
- Machine learning: Your hearing aid can use “machine learning”, which are sophisticated intelligent algorithms, to adjust to your audio landscape before you even recognized it needed to. This is particularly convenient when filtering sounds or in a loud setting.
- Automatic programming: You can dial in your modern hearing aids to automatically change settings depending on the time of day or environment you find yourself in. This function makes them more reliable and simpler to use.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Perhaps you want some tunes while you’re out on the boat. Just connect the boat’s radio to your hearing aids via Bluetooth.
- Rechargeability: Your battery will stay charged all day after charging while you sleep at night. Basically, you can charge your hearing aids the same way you charge your cellphone. And when you travel with your hearing aids, it becomes really hassle free.
We can help you learn how your specific hearing needs can be met by your hearing aids (for example, you can ask whether you can wear them while you’re going for a swim or hiking in the country, that sort of thing). Hearing aids and water-sports don’t always play nice together. But all in all, 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 instance, you should ask, can hot weather affect my hearing aids? Also, does humidity have any impact on my hearing aid and how can I protect it? 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 be certain to steer clear of them. These noisy sounds are a real hazard! And everyone’s ears are vulnerable even if they don’t have pre-existing hearing loss. Some of those sounds include:
- Live music: It’s a lot of fun to attend a live music concert but the loud volume can be damaging to your hearing. So you might want to use some caution and be selective about which shows you attend and wear earplugs.
- Boat engines: These engines are loud, so use some caution about proximity and exposure time. When you’re fishing, shut the engine off. Or, better yet, put in some earplugs for the duration of your boat trip.
- Fireworks: The dogs are on to something. Going to fireworks shows can definitely harm your hearing. This includes both commercial and home launched fireworks. Best to simply stay away from fireworks completely.
This list isn’t exhaustive. Summer fun for individuals with 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, avoid all loud noises over the summer. So what’s the solution? Well, you can use ear protection. Popping in a pair of earplugs before you go to any live music show can minimize a lot of the damage, for instance. You just need to make sure you’re using effective ear protection.
Enjoy the sounds of summer
As the heat of summer becomes more oppressive, if you are dealing with hearing loss, the summer sounds might feel like they’re getting further away. And that means you could miss a lot of the season’s joy.
So you may need to come in and see us if you want to be certain that you get the most from your summer. We will be able to determine whether your hearing is waning or not, and what kind of hearing aid will best suit your needs.
So begin here if you’re ready to appreciate the dawn chorus. Because birdsongs are only the beginning of those amazing summer sounds.
Get the most out of your ears this summer and beyond. Schedule an appointment today to find out which hearing aids are best for you!