Have you ever slept with your bedroom window open and awoke to the lovely sound of birds singing just as the sun comes up? 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 favorite melody. Each species has its own kind of song, and together, they sound like a symphony of nature.
Of course, if you have neglected hearing loss, you might not notice the dawn chorus at all. Which is a shame.
There are lots of amazing sounds during the summer besides birdsongs that you may be missing. And you may be missing those summer sounds because you have hearing loss that’s gone undiagnosed or simply dismissed. 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 likely start off visualizing the sun in a blue sky. And, a really, really hot sun (whew). And then you start to imagine the summer soundtrack that goes along with this vision. You might be thinking about:
- The sound of your grandchildren playing and laughing.
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun goes down.
- The babbling of a stream or the crashing of waves.
- The buzzing of bees as they fly around pollinating flowers and helping the landscape bloom.
- The sound of birds singing, especially in the spring during, ahem, mating season. (Humans aren’t the only species to employ love songs.)
These are only a few examples. There are lots of sounds going on. 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 most likely because an apparent level of hearing loss has effectively crept up on you. Once you’ve detected that issue, the next step is to take action.
Your summer can be more enjoyable with hearing aids
For most people, hearing aids are really about creating relationships. Communication is key. You’ll be more mindful of what’s happening around you, better able to communicate with those around you, and enjoy the sounds in your world. And that’s particularly significant at those summer barbecues, for example.
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. For example, most contemporary hearing aids offer:
- Smartphone compatibility: You can connect your hearing aids to your smartphone and start enjoying all sorts of features. Depending on the specific hearing situation, you will be able to manage the settings on your hearing aids by utilizing an app you can download on most cell phones.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Boating on the lake and want to enjoy some tracks? Just connect the boat’s radio to your hearing aids using Bluetooth.
- Machine learning: Fancy algorithms (called machine learning) can help your hearing aids adapt to what you need, even before you need it. In loud environments or when filtering out particular sounds, this can be especially convenient.
- Noise reduction: If you want to hear the sound of crashing 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 used to do). Noise reduction features are common in modern hearing aids so you will be capable of dialing in the sounds you want to hear.
- Rechargeability: You can recharge your hearing aid while you sleep and get full batteries throughout the day. Basically, you can charge your hearing aids in the same way you charge your cellphone. This also makes traveling with hearing aids much easier.
- Automatic programming: You can program your modern hearing aids to automatically switch settings depending on the time of day or setting you find yourself in. This function makes them more effective and easier to use.
You can ask us about how your set of hearing aids are appropriate for your favorite activities (for example, you can ask whether you can wear them while you’re going for a swim or hiking in the country, that type of thing). Hearing aids frequently don’t play well with water. But in general, 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 example? 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 steer clear of
As much as you love the sound of the dawn chorus, there are a few other summer sounds that could actually be damaging to your hearing, so you’ll probably want to stay away from them. These noisy sounds are a real hazard! And everybody’s ears are at risk 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 ears. This means you might want to be selective about which shows you see (rather than attending a festival every weekend).
- Boat engines: Be careful of how close you get and how long you spend around these engines because they’re really loud. When you’re fishing, shut the engine off. Or, even better, put in some earplugs for the entirety of your boat trip.
- Fireworks: Dogs have the right idea. Your hearing can definitely be damaged by fireworks. This includes both commercial and home launched fireworks. Best to just stay away from fireworks altogether.
This is only a partial list. For people who are dealing with hearing loss, summer may have a few less of these loud activities.
That said, you may not be capable of, or even want to, avoid all loud noises over the summer. So what can you do? Wearing ear protection is the best strategy. For example, before you go to a live show, put in a pair of earplugs so you can reduce most of the damage. You just need to make certain you’re using effective ear protection.
Appreciate the sounds of summer
As the heat of summer gets more oppressive, if you have hearing loss, the summer sounds might seem like they’re getting further away. Which means, much of the joy of the season could get lost.
Getting the most out of your summer then, may mean making a pit stop with us. We can help identify the state of your hearing and, if needed, help decide what type of hearing loss will be the best choice for you.
So if you want to enjoy the dawn chorus, that’s where you need to begin. Because birdsongs are just the beginning of those amazing summer sounds.
Get a hearing tune-up this summer. Schedule an appointment today to find out which hearing aids are right for you!
