Why let your summer get wrecked by flawed hearing? Most likely it’s even worse if you don’t know it. A few ear conditions and aging bring a slow decline of hearing that you may not even recognize. You may also stay away from doing fun summertime events that you love because you can’t hear as well. You will still be able to get out and have a great time if you look for certain practical solutions to your hearing loss obstacles.
Summertime Cookouts
Hearing loss can get tricky during summer cookouts. To begin with, there is a lot of background noise. Lots of people are chatting all around you. Kids are running around shrieking and enjoying themselves. You have the sounds of nature such as singing birds, barking dogs, and the crackling sound of food cooking on the grill.
If you do have some degree of hearing loss, all of these various noises and sounds will be very frustrating. When somebody has hearing decline, background sounds tend to take over.
Here are a few ideas to help you compensate:
Look for a relaxing place to sit to minimize some of that overwhelming background noise. You might need to see peoples lips so turn your back to the sun.
- You can turn down the volume of background music. Choosing not to play music is an option if you’re the host. If you are going to somebody else’s barbecue, mention the issue to the host.
- Now and then just walk away. It takes a lot of energy struggling to hear. Step inside and away from everyone for a short time each hour and sit someplace quiet to recharge.
- Let people know when you can’t hear. People will get frustrated when you attempt to fake it. If you can’t hear what someone said, tell them. Cupping your ear and other visual hints can indicate that you can’t hear to others. Normally, people will come closer to you or speak louder to help out.
Don’t try to hear everything. Actively taking part in every conversation is not a possibility. As an alternative, attempt to take part in smaller groups and set reasonable limits for yourself.
Go Outdoors
What might you be missing out on by staying inside the house? Don’t be frightened to go outside the house and concentrate on the sounds of nature. No, you won’t be able to hear everything but with a little focus, you might hear more than you might think.
Make a game out of it and listen for:
- Chirping birds
- Buzzing insects
- Crickets in the evening
- Blowing leaves
- Falling rain
- People jumping in the pool or playing in the yard
- Barking dogs
- Waves splashing
If you just try to listen to one thing at a time, you can manage your expectations every time you go outdoors, head to the beach or walk in the park.
Enjoy Day Trips or Even a Much Needed Vacation
That’s really what summertime is meant for, isn’t it? Decide what type of vacation you might like and if there are constraints that come with your hearing loss. Sailing or fishing would be perfect but a theme park could be a little too much. Going out into nature would also work. A museum or taking a stroll on the boardwalk by the beach are excellent choices.
You have an opportunity to travel this summer so you shouldn’t let your hearing loss take that away from you. Tell the airline about your condition when you get your ticket if you are flying. Alert the hotel or resort, as well, so they can offer you a room that has accommodations for the hearing impaired such as smoke alarms with flashing lights or shaking beds and TVs with closed captioning.
Improve Yourself
Look for methods to better yourself this summer such as taking a fitness class or learning to paint. If you want to find a spot in the front, be sure to get there early. Bring a couple of friends with you and let them fill you in on what you are missing during the session.
Take Safety Precautions This Summer
There are a couple of summer activities that require you to take safeguards to protect yourself, your ears, and any costly hearing assistance devices you own. Play it safe by:
- While you are at the pool or beach, make sure you play it safe. Wear earplugs to prevent ear infections and don’t let your hearing aids get wet.
- Bring someone with you when you go on those nice evening walks. You may miss the warning sounds from potential threats such as oncoming vehicles or maybe even a threatening stranger coming up from behind you.
- Use ear protection at fireworks shows and at concerts.
Making The Most of it This Summer
Three simple things will help you eliminate most of these things.
- Have your ears checked by a hearing specialist. It may be possible your hearing loss is treatable.
- Get a professional hearing examination, so you know if you do actually have hearing loss.
- Get high-quality hearing aids. They can filter out background noises so you hear what’s important.
Having fun is what summer is all about. Don’t permit hearing loss take it away from you.
