Have you ever awoke after a night’s sleep and heard birds singing a wonderful song through your open window? So happens, there’s a name for all those birdsongs: the dawn chorus. For whatever reason, birds see the sun coming up and choose to start singing their favorite songs. The songs of these birds, when they’re all singing together, are a lovely symphony.
But you may not hear the “dawn chorus” at all if you have neglected hearing loss. Which is a shame.
There are a lot of amazing sounds during the summer besides birdsongs that you might be missing. And you may be missing those summer sounds because you have hearing loss that’s gone undiagnosed or simply dismissed. The good news in these cases is that a device like a hearing aid could help you appreciate and enjoy your summer days more fully.
Summer sounds
You likely think of a really hot sun in a clear blue sky when you think of summer. And then you begin to visualize the summer soundtrack that goes along with this vision. Some sounds you might think about:
- The sound of frogs croaking at night, especially in the early hours of the night.
- Something as basic as your grandchildren laughing, possibly as they run about the yard or as you watch a baseball game together.
- The babbling of a stream or the crashing of waves.
- The buzzing of bees as they fly around pollinating flowers and helping nature bloom.
- The sound of birds performing mating songs. (Love songs are not just enjoyed by humans.)
You get the point. There are a bunch of sounds happening. The feeling and vibe of summer are considerably enhanced by these sounds. And these sounds in and of themselves bring great joy.
It’s possible that hearing loss might have crept up on you, particularly if these or any other summer sounds sound to be different to you these days. Once you’ve noticed that problem, the next step is to do something about it.
Hearing aids can help you enjoy summer
For most individuals, hearing aids are really about building connections. They’re about communication. You’ll be more aware of what’s taking place around you, better able to communicate with people around you, and enjoy the sounds in your world. And at those summer cook-outs, for example, that’s even more important.
The latest models of hearing aids can help you savor the sounds of summer, and they are equipped with some really great built in tech, as well. Here are some examples of some of that powerful technology:
- Noise reduction: You’ll want to have hearing aids that can differentiate specific sounds (your ears used to do this) so you can appreciate those crashing waves without having the traffic behind you amplified too. Noise reduction features are common in modern hearing aids so you will be able to dial in the sounds you want to hear.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can connect your hearing aids to your smartphone and begin making the most of all sorts of features. Depending on the specific hearing situation, you will be able to control the settings on your hearing aids by utilizing an app you can download on most smartphones.
- Automatic programming: You can dial in your modern hearing aids to automatically adjust settings depending on the time of day or setting you find yourself in. This function makes them more effective and easier to use.
- Rechargeability: You can recharge your hearing aid while you sleep and enjoy full batteries all through the day. It’s a lot like charging your phone. This also makes traveling with hearing aids a lot easier.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Boating on the lake and want to enjoy some music? Well, your hearing aids can be synced to the boat’s stereo using Bluetooth.
- Machine learning: Cutting-edge algorithms (called machine learning) can help your hearing aids adjust to what you need, even before you know you need it. In loud environments or when eliminating specific sounds, this can be especially handy.
You can ask us about how your set of hearing aids are suitable for your favorite adventures (for example, you can ask whether you can wear them while you’re swimming or hiking up a mountain, that type of thing). Hearing aids and water-sports don’t always play nice together. But you will have a deeper overall summer experience with your hearing aids.
Also, asking us basic questions about your hearing aid model will be a practical idea. Will your hearing aids have a problem with hot weather, for example? And you should also ask, how can I protect my hearing aids from moisture in the air? The answer to both will depend on the model of hearing aid you have.
Maybe stay away from these sounds
As much as you enjoy 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 everyone’s ears are at risk even if they don’t have pre-existing hearing loss. Some of those sounds include:
- Fireworks: The dogs are on to something. Your hearing can most certainly be damaged by fireworks. Likewise, being close to home-launched fireworks can also be harmful to your ears (and limbs). Best to simply avoid fireworks altogether.
- Live music: Outdoor concerts are a fun part of summer, but they can be damaging to your ears. So you might want to exercise some caution and be picky about which shows you attend and use earplugs.
- Boat engines: Be cautious 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, an even better plan would be to put in some earplugs.
This is only a partial list. Summer activities for people who have hearing loss might not include quite as many of those fireworks and loud noise conditions.
But even with hearing loss you probably won’t want to stay away from every noisy summer activity. So what’s the solution? Well, you can use ear protection. Popping in a set of earplugs before you go to any live music show can mitigate a lot of the damage, for instance. But it’s important that the hearing protection you chooses is reliable.
Enjoy the sounds of summer
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). And that means you might miss a lot of the season’s joy.
So you might need to come in and see us if you want to be certain that you get the most out of your summer. We can help determine the state of your hearing and, if necessary, help determine what type of hearing loss will best suit your needs.
So if you want to enjoy the dawn chorus, that’s where you should start. Because birdsongs are just the beginning of those amazing 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!