Have you ever awoke after a night’s sleep and heard birds singing a pleasant song through your open window? Most people probably don’t even know that the name for those bird-songs is the “dawn chorus”. For whatever reason, birds see the sun rising and decide to start singing their favorite songs. The songs of these birds, when they’re all singing together, are a beautiful symphony.
Of course, if you have neglected hearing loss, you might not notice the dawn chorus at all. And that’s sad.
That’s particularly true because it’s not just birdsong you may be missing out on. Summer is full of awesome 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 cases is that a device like a hearing aid could help you appreciate and enjoy your summer days more fully.
Summer sounds
You probably think of a really hot sun in a clear blue sky when you think of summer. But if you stick with your imagination a little longer, you’ll start adding details that make this blue sky feel more like summer, the sounds that fill in the day. Some sounds you may think about:
- The buzzing of bees as they fly around pollinating flowers and helping nature bloom.
- The sound of birds singing out mating songs. (Love songs aren’t just appreciated by humans.)
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun goes down.
- The crashing of waves on the beach (or a babbling creek if you’re in a more inland area).
- The sound of your grandchildren playing and laughing.
These are just a few examples. There are lots of sounds going on. These are the sounds that fill in your summer, give it texture, and help create that overall vibe. And these sounds by themselves bring great joy.
It’s possible that hearing loss may have snuck up on you, particularly if these or any other summer sounds seem to be different to you these days. If you have noticed your hearing loss then you should get something done about it.
Your summer can be more enjoyable with hearing aids
For most individuals, hearing aids are really about creating connections. They’re about communication. They make it easier to talk to others, to hear what’s happening around you, and to enjoy the sounds that you hear. And at those summer barbecues, for example, that’s even more important.
Contemporary hearing aids have some fantastic technology that will help you savor those summer sounds. Here are some illustrations of some of that potent technology:
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Maybe you want some music playing while you’re out on the boat. Well, your hearing aids can be connected to the boat’s stereo using Bluetooth.
- 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 out these sounds (just like your ears used to do). Noise reduction features are normal in modern hearing aids so you will be capable of dialing in the sounds you want to hear.
- Automatic programming: You can program your modern hearing aids to automatically change settings depending on the time of day or setting you find yourself in. This makes them simpler to use and more effective.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can sync your hearing aids to your smartphone and begin making the most of all sorts of features. Depending on the particular hearing situation, you will be able to control the settings on your hearing aids using an app you can download on most smartphones.
- Machine learning: Your hearing aid can utilize “machine learning”, which are sophisticated intelligent algorithms, to adapt to your audio landscape before you even recognized it needed to. In loud settings or when eliminating particular sounds, this can be especially handy.
- Rechargeability: Your battery will stay charged all day after charging when you are sleeping at night. Essentially, 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.
You can ask us about how your pair of hearing aids are suitable for your favorite adventures (you can ask us if you can bring your hearing aids into the water or on a mountain hike for instance). Hearing aids and water-sports don’t always get along. But you will have a richer overall summer experience with your hearing aids.
Also, asking us basic questions about your hearing aid model will be a practical plan. Will your hearing aids have an issue with hot weather, for example? Also, does humidity have any effect on my hearing aid and how can I protect it? The answer to both questions will depend on the model of hearing aid you have.
Perhaps avoid these sounds
As much as you enjoy 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 avoid them. These are sounds that are, well, noisy! 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: Be cautious of how close you get and how long you spend near these engines because they are very loud. When you’re fishing, turn the engine off. Or, even better, pop in some earplugs for the duration of your boat trip.
- Fireworks: Dogs have the right idea. Your hearing can most certainly be damaged by fireworks. This includes both commercial and home launched fireworks. It’s best for your hearing to keep away from fireworks completely.
- Live music: It’s a lot of fun to attend a live music concert but the loud volume can be damaging to your ears. So you may want to use some caution and be picky about which concerts you attend and use earplugs.
This is only a partial list. For individuals who are coping with hearing loss, summer may have a few less of these loud activities.
But even with hearing loss you most likely won’t want to stay away from every noisy summer event. So what’s the solution? Well, you can wear ear protection. For example, before you go to a live show, put in a set of earplugs so you can decrease most of the damage. You just need to make certain you’re using effective ear protection.
Have fun this summer and enjoy the sounds
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 gets more and more oppressive). And that means you could miss a lot of the season’s joy.
Getting the most out of your summer then, might mean coming to see us. We can help figure out the state of your hearing and, if necessary, help determine what type of hearing aids will best suit your needs.
So if you want to appreciate the dawn chorus, that’s where you need to begin. Because birdsongs are only the beginning of those incredible 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!