Have you ever awoke after a night’s sleep and heard birds singing a pleasant song through your open window? Turns out, there’s a name for all those birdsongs: the dawn chorus. Birds see the sunrise and, for some reason, decide it’s time to belt out their best melody. The songs of these birds, when they’re all singing together, are a lovely symphony.
Of course, if you have untreated hearing loss, you might not hear the dawn chorus at all. Which is a pity.
That’s particularly true because it’s not just birdsong you may be missing out on. Summer is full of incredible sounds. And if you find yourself oblivious to the sounds of summer, it might be because of some undiagnosed (or diagnosed and ignored) hearing loss. The good news in these instances is that a device like a hearing aid may help you appreciate and enjoy your summer days more fully.
The sounds of summer
You likely think of a very hot sun in a clear blue sky when you think about summer. But if you stay in your imagination a little longer, you’ll start incorporating details that make this blue sky feel more like summer, the sounds that fill in the day. You may be thinking about:
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun goes down.
- The sound of birds singing, especially in the spring during, ahem, mating season. (Love songs aren’t just enjoyed by humans.)
- The sound of your grandchildren laughing and playing.
- The buzzing of bees as they fly around pollinating flowers and helping nature bloom.
- The crashing of waves on the beach (or a babbling creek if you’re in a more landlocked area).
You get the point. There are a bunch of sounds happening. The experience and vibe of summer are considerably enhanced by these sounds. And these sounds by themselves bring great joy.
It’s possible that hearing loss may have snuck up on you, especially if these or any other summer sounds sound to be foreign to you these days. If you have detected your hearing loss then you need to get some help with it.
Your summer can be more enjoyable with hearing aids
For most, hearing aids are really about building connections. Communication is key. They make it easier to converse with others, to hear what’s happening around you, and to enjoy the sounds that you hear. And that’s especially significant at those summer barbecues, for example.
The newest models of hearing aids can help you savor the sounds of summer, and they come with some pretty amazing built in tech, as well. For instance, most contemporary hearing aids provide:
- Noise reduction: If you want to hear the crashing of the waves, but not the thunder of traffic behind you, you’ll want hearing aids that can help you sort out these sounds (just like your ears once did). Modern hearing aids have considerable noise reduction capabilities, so you can hear what you really want to hear.
- Machine learning: Your hearing aid can utilize “machine learning”, which are advanced intelligent algorithms, to adjust to your audio landscape before you even recognized it needed to. In noisy settings or when eliminating particular sounds, this can be especially convenient.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Maybe you want some music playing while you’re out boating. Just connect the boat’s radio to your hearing aids using Bluetooth.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can connect your hearing aids to your cellphone and begin making the most of 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.
- Automatic programming: You can dial in your modern hearing aids to automatically switch settings depending on the time of day or environment you find yourself in. This function makes them more effective and easier to use.
- Rechargeability: Your battery will remain charged throughout the day after charging when you are sleeping at night. It’s a lot like charging your phone. And when you vacation with your hearing aids, it becomes very hassle free.
You can ask us about how your pair of hearing aids are appropriate for your favorite adventures (you can ask us whether you can take your hearing aids into the water or on a mountain hike for instance). Hearing aids usually 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 an issue with hot weather, for example? 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 vary.
Maybe avoid these sounds
Some summer sounds, unlike the dawn chorus, will be harmful to your hearing and you should make sure to steer clear of them. These loud sounds are a real hazard! 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 use some caution about distance and exposure time. When you’re fishing, turn the engine off. Or, even better, put in some earplugs for the entirety of your boat trip.
- Fireworks: Dogs have the right idea. Attending fireworks shows can definitely damage your ears. Likewise, being near home-launched fireworks can also be harmful to your hearing (and limbs). It’s best for your hearing to stay away from fireworks entirely.
- Live music: It’s great fun to attend a live music concert but the loud volume can be harmful to your hearing. So you might want to use some caution and be picky about which concerts you attend and wear earplugs.
This is only a partial list. For individuals who are coping with hearing loss, summer might have a few less of these noisy events.
That said, you may not be able to, or even want to, stay away from all loud noises over the summer. So what can you do? Well, you can wear ear protection. For instance, before you go to a concert, put in a pair of earplugs so you can reduce most of the damage. But it’s important that the hearing protection you chooses is effective.
Enjoy the sounds of summer
As the heat of summer becomes more oppressive, if you have hearing loss, the summer sounds may feel like they’re getting further away. And that means you might miss a lot of the season’s joy.
Getting the most from your summer then, might require making a pit stop with us. We will be able to determine whether your hearing is failing or not, and what kind of hearing aid will best suit your needs.
So begin here if you’re ready to enjoy the dawn chorus. And you’ll also be able to enjoy all of the other awesome summer sounds.
Get a hearing tune-up this summer. Call us for a hearing exam and find out if hearing aids are the right choice for you.