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 those bird songs are called the “dawn chorus”. For whatever reason, birds see the sun coming up and choose to start singing their favorite songs. Each type of bird has its own kind of song, and together, they sound like a symphony of nature.
But you might not notice the “dawn chorus” at all if you have untreated hearing loss. Which is a shame.
That’s especially true because it’s not 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 may be because of some undiagnosed (or diagnosed and neglected) hearing loss. 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 very, very hot sun (whew). And then you begin to imagine the summer soundtrack that comes with this vision. Some sounds you might 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.
- The sound of birds performing mating songs. (Love songs aren’t just enjoyed by humans.)
- The babbling of a creek or the crashing of waves.
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun goes down.
- Bees buzzing around helping nature bloom by pollinating flowers.
You get the point. There are a bunch of sounds happening. These are the sounds that fill in your summer, give it quality, and help create that overall vibe. And these sounds in and of themselves bring great joy.
If these summer sounds (or any sounds of summer) seem different to you these days, it’s most likely because a noticeable level of hearing loss has successfully snuck up on you. If you have detected your hearing loss then you need to get something done about it.
Hearing aids can help you enjoy summer
For most, hearing aids are really about creating relationships. Communication is key. You’ll be more aware of what’s happening around you, better able to communicate with people around you, and appreciate the sounds in your world. And that’s particularly important at those summer barbecues, for example.
Modern hearing aids have some amazing technology that will help you savor those summer sounds. Here are some illustrations of some of that potent technology:
- Machine learning: Fancy algorithms (called machine learning) can help your hearing aids adjust to what you need, even before you need it. In loud settings or when eliminating specific sounds, this can be especially convenient.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Out on the boat and want to enjoy some tunes? Just connect the boat’s radio to your hearing aids via Bluetooth.
- Noise reduction: You’ll want to get 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 common in modern hearing aids so you will be able to dial in the sounds you want to hear.
- Automatic programming: Contemporary hearing aids can automatically adapt to new environments or times of day, depending on how they’re programmed. This function makes them more effective and easier to use.
- Rechargeability: Your battery will remain charged all day after charging when you are sleeping at night. It’s much like charging your phone. This also makes traveling with hearing aids a lot easier.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can begin to enjoy all kinds of features by connecting your hearing aid to your cellphone. Depending on the specific hearing situation, you will be able to control the settings on your hearing aids using an app you can download on most cell phones.
You can ask us about how your set of hearing aids are suited to your favorite adventures (for example, you can ask whether you can wear them while you’re swimming or hiking in the country, that sort of thing). Hearing aids and water-sports don’t always get along. 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 idea. Will your hearing aids have a problem with hot weather, for instance? Also, does humidity have any effect 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
As much as you love the sound of the dawn chorus, there are some other summer sounds that could actually be harmful to your hearing, so you’ll probably want to stay away from them. These are sounds that are, well, noisy! And they’re damaging to everyone’s ears, not just those who have pre-existing hearing loss. Here are some of those sounds:
- Fireworks: Dogs have the right idea. Attending fireworks shows can certainly damage your ears. This includes both commercial and home launched fireworks. Best to just avoid fireworks completely.
- Boat engines: Be careful of how close you get and how long you spend near these engines because they are really loud. When you’re fishing, turn the engine off. Or, an even better plan would be to use some earplugs.
- Live music: Outdoor concerts are a fun part of summer, but they can be damaging to your hearing. This means you may 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 individuals who have hearing loss may not include quite as many of those fireworks and loud noise conditions.
That said, you might not be capable of, or even want to, avoid all loud noises over the summer. So what can you do? Well, you can use ear protection. For example, before you go to a live show, put in a set of earplugs so you can reduce a lot of the damage. You just need to make sure you’re using effective ear protection.
Have fun this summer and enjoy the sounds
As the heat of summer becomes more oppressive, if you are dealing with hearing loss, the summer sounds might seem like they’re getting further away. Which means, a lot 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 figure out the state of your hearing and, if needed, help determine what kind of hearing aid will best suit your needs.
So if you want to enjoy the dawn chorus, that’s where you should start. And you’ll also be able to enjoy all of the other wonderful summer sounds.
Get a hearing tune-up this summer. Schedule an appointment today to find out which hearing aids are right for you!