Have you ever awoke after a night’s sleep and heard birds singing a delightful song through your open window? 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. Each type of bird has its own kind of song, and together, they sound like a symphony of nature.
Of course, if you have untreated hearing loss, you may not notice the dawn chorus at all. And that’s sad.
That’s particularly true because it’s not just birdsong you might be missing out on. Summer is full of amazing sounds. And you might be missing those summer sounds because you have hearing loss that’s gone undiagnosed or simply dismissed. The good news in these situations is that a device like a hearing aid may help you appreciate and more fully enjoy your summer.
Summer sounds
You likely think of a very hot sun in a clear blue sky when you think about summer. And then you start to imagine the summer soundtrack that comes with this vision. You might be thinking about:
- The babbling of a stream or the crashing of waves.
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun goes down.
- Something as basic as your grandkids laughing, maybe as they run around the yard or as you catch a baseball game with each other.
- The sound of birds performing mating songs. (Humans aren’t the only species to employ love songs.)
- Bees buzzing about helping nature bloom by pollinating flowers.
These are only a few examples. There are a bunch of sounds happening. These are the sounds that complete your summer, give it texture, and help create that overall vibe. Plus, there is so much pleasure in these simple sounds themselves.
It’s possible that hearing loss might have crept up on you, particularly if these or any other summer sounds seem to be different to you these days. If you have detected your hearing loss then you should get some help with it.
Hearing aids can help you enjoy summer
For most, hearing aids are really about strengthening relationships. 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 at those summer barbecues, for instance, that’s even more important.
The newest models of hearing aids can help you bask in the sounds of summer, and they come with some really great built in tech, as well. Here are some instances of some of that potent 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 (just like your ears once did). 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 stay charged throughout the day after charging when you are sleeping at night. Basically, you can charge your hearing aids the same way you charge your cellphone. And when you vacation with your hearing aids, it becomes especially hassle free.
- Automatic programming: You can dial in your modern hearing aids to automatically adjust settings depending on the time of day or environment you find yourself in. This makes them simpler to use and more reliable.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Out on the boat and want to listen to some tracks? Just connect the boat’s radio to your hearing aids via Bluetooth.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can start to enjoy all types of features by connecting your hearing aid to your smartphone. Depending on the particular hearing situation, you will be able to control the settings on your hearing aids by utilizing an app you can download on most smartphones.
- Machine learning: Fancy algorithms (called machine learning) can help your hearing aids adapt to what you need, even before you know you need it. 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 (you can ask us whether you can take your hearing aids into the water or on a mountain hike for instance). Hearing aids and water-sports don’t always play nice together. But you will have a richer overall summer experience with your hearing aids.
You’ll also want to ask us some basic questions about your hearing aid models. 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 differ.
Some loud sounds you may want to avoid
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 everybody’s ears are vulnerable even if they don’t have pre-existing hearing loss. Here are some of those sounds:
- Live music: It’s great fun to go and see 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.
- Fireworks: The dogs are on to something. Your hearing can most certainly be harmed by fireworks. Furthermore, being near home-launched fireworks can also be harmful to your ears (and limbs). It’s best for your hearing to keep away from fireworks entirely.
- Boat engines: These engines are loud, so exercise some caution about proximity and duration. Try not to leave the motor running when you’re fishing. Or, an even better idea would be to use some earplugs.
This list isn’t exhaustive. Summer activities for people with hearing loss may not include quite as many of those fireworks and loud noise situations.
Having said that, you may not be capable of, or even want to, avoid all loud noises during the summer. So what can you do? Using ear protection is the best option. For example, before you go to a live show, put in a pair of earplugs so you can reduce most of the damage. But it’s essential that the hearing protection you chooses is reliable.
Have fun this summer and enjoy the sounds
As the heat of summer becomes more oppressive, if you have hearing loss, the summer sounds might feel like they’re getting further away. And that means you might miss a lot of the season’s joy.
Getting the most out of your summer then, might require making a pit stop with us. We can help identify the state of your hearing and, if needed, help decide what kind of hearing aids will best suit your needs.
So start here if you’re ready to appreciate the dawn chorus. Because birdsongs are just the beginning of those incredible summer sounds.
Get a hearing tune-up this summer. Call us for a hearing exam and discover if hearing aids are the right choice for you.