Have you ever awoke after a night’s sleep and heard birds singing a pleasant song through your open window? Most individuals probably aren’t even aware that those bird songs are called the “dawn chorus”. For whatever reason, birds see the sun rising and decide to start singing their favorite songs. The songs of these birds, when they’re all singing together, are a beautiful symphony.
Of course, if you have untreated hearing loss, you might not notice the dawn chorus at all. And that’s sad.
That’s particularly true because it isn’t just birdsong you might be missing out on. Summer is full of incredible sounds. And if you find yourself oblivious to the sounds of summer, it might be due to some undiagnosed (or diagnosed and ignored) hearing loss. But you can start 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 most likely begin by imagining the sun in a blue sky. And, a really, really hot sun (whew). And then you start to visualize the summer soundtrack that goes along with this vision. Some sounds you might think about:
- The sound of your grandkids playing and laughing.
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun goes down.
- The sound of birds singing, particularly in the spring during, ahem, mating season. (Love songs are not just appreciated by humans.)
- The buzzing of bees as they fly around pollinating flowers and helping the landscape bloom.
- The crashing of waves on the beach (or a babbling brook if you’re in a more inland area).
These are just a few examples. Summer is lively with wonderful sounds. The feeling and vibe of summer are significantly enhanced by these sounds. And these sounds in and of themselves bring great happiness.
If these sounds of summer (or any sounds of summer) seem different to you these days, it’s most likely because a noticeable level of hearing loss has effectively snuck up on you. If you have detected your hearing loss then you should get some help with it.
Hearing aids can help you enjoy summer
Building connections is what hearing aids are really about for most. Communication is key. 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 at those summer barbecues, for example, that’s even more relevant.
The newest models of hearing aids can help you savor the sounds of summer, and they come with some really amazing built in tech, too. Here are some instances of some of that powerful technology:
- Automatic programming: Modern hearing aids can automatically adapt to new surroundings or times of day, depending on how you program them. This makes them easier to use and more effective.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can sync 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 fine-tune 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.
- Machine learning: Your hearing aid can use “machine learning”, which are sophisticated intelligent algorithms, to adapt to your audio landscape before you even knew it needed to. This is particularly handy when filtering sounds or in a loud environment.
- 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 cellphone. And when you vacation with your hearing aids, it becomes really stress free.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Out on the boat and want to listen to some tunes? Just connect the boat’s radio to your hearing aids using Bluetooth.
You can ask us about how your set of hearing aids are suitable for your favorite activities (for example, you can ask whether you can use 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 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. Will your hearing aids have an issue with hot weather, for instance? And you should also ask, how do I safeguard my hearing aids from moisture in the air? Depending on the model of hearing aid, the answer to these questions will differ.
Maybe avoid these sounds
Some summer sounds, unlike the dawn chorus, will be harmful to your ears and you should make sure to steer clear of them. These are sounds that are, well, loud! And everyone’s ears are vulnerable even if they don’t have pre-existing hearing loss. Here are a few of those sounds:
- Boat engines: These engines are loud, so exercise some caution about proximity and exposure time. 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. This goes for both commercial and home launched fireworks. It’s best for your hearing to stay away from fireworks entirely.
- Live music: It’s a lot of fun to attend a live music concert but the loud volume can be harmful to your hearing. This means you might want to be selective about which shows you see (rather than going to a festival every weekend).
This list isn’t exhaustive. Summer fun for people with hearing loss might not include quite as many of those fireworks and loud noise situations.
But even with hearing loss you probably won’t want to avoid every loud summer event. So what can you do? Using 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 example. But it’s important that the hearing protection you chooses is reliable.
Have fun this summer and enjoy the sounds
If you are dealing with 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, much of the joy of the season could get lost.
So you may need to come in and see us if you want to make sure you get the most out of your summer. We can help determine the state of your hearing and, if necessary, help decide what kind of hearing loss will be the best choice for you.
So if you want to appreciate the dawn chorus, that’s where you need to begin. And you’ll also be able to enjoy all of the other awesome summer sounds.
Get the most from your ears this summer and beyond. Schedule an appointment today to find out which hearing aids are right for you!
