Have you ever slept with the window in your bedroom open and woken up to the lovely sound of birds singing as the sun is coming up? Turns out, there’s a term for all those birdsongs: the dawn chorus. For whatever reason, birds see the sun coming up and decide to start singing their favorite songs. The songs of these birds, when they’re all sounding together, are a lovely symphony.
But you might not notice the “dawn chorus” at all if you have untreated hearing loss. Which is a pity.
That’s especially true because it’s not just birdsong you might be missing out on. Summer is full of incredible sounds. And if you find yourself missing out on the sounds of summer, it could be the result of some undiagnosed (or diagnosed and dismissed) hearing loss. The good news in these cases 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 of summer. But if you stay in your imagination a bit longer, you’ll begin incorporating details that make this blue sky feel more like summer, the sounds that fill out the day. Some sounds you may think about:
- 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.
- Bees buzzing about helping nature bloom by pollinating flowers.
- The sound of your grandchildren laughing and playing.
- The sound of frogs croaking at night, particularly in the early hours of the night.
These are just a few examples. Summer is lively with wonderful sounds. The feeling and vibe of summer are significantly enhanced by these sounds. Plus, there is so much happiness in these everyday summertime sounds themselves.
It’s feasible that hearing loss may have snuck up on you, especially if these or any other summer sounds sound to be different to you these days. If you have noticed 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. They’re about communication. They make it easier to talk to others, to hear what’s happening around you, and to appreciate the sounds that you hear. And that’s especially significant at those summer barbecues, for example.
The latest models of hearing aids can help you savor the sounds of summer, and they are equipped with some pretty great built in tech, too. Here are some examples 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 noisy environments or when eliminating specific sounds, this can be especially convenient.
- 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 through these sounds (just like your ears once did). Modern hearing aids have significant noise reduction capabilities, so you can hear what you really want to hear.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can begin to enjoy all types of features by syncing your hearing aid to your cellphone. Depending on the particular hearing situation, you will be able to control the settings on your hearing aids by utilizing an app you can download on most cell phones.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Maybe you want some tunes while you’re out boating. Just sync the boat’s radio to your hearing aids via Bluetooth.
- Automatic programming: Modern hearing aids can automatically adapt to new settings or times of day, depending on how they’re programmed. This makes them easier to use and more effective.
- Rechargeability: Your battery will remain charged throughout the day after charging when you are sleeping at night. It’s much like charging your cellphone. This also makes traveling with hearing aids a lot easier.
We can help you discover how your particular hearing needs can be met by your hearing aids (for example, you can ask whether you can use them while you’re swimming or hiking in the country, that sort of thing). Hearing aids frequently don’t get along with water. But you will have a richer overall summer experience with your hearing aids.
You’ll also want to ask us some basic questions about your hearing aid models. For instance, you should ask, can hot weather affect my hearing aids? Also, does humidity have any impact on my hearing aid and how can I safeguard 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
Some summer sounds, unlike the dawn chorus, will be harmful to your hearing and you should make sure to steer clear of them. These noisy sounds are a real hazard! And they’re damaging to everyone’s ears, not just individuals with pre-existing hearing loss. Some of those sounds include:
- Boat engines: These engines are loud, so use some caution about distance and duration. When you’re fishing, turn the engine off. Or, an even better plan would be to put in some earplugs.
- Live music: It’s a lot of fun to go and see a live music concert but the loud volume can be damaging to your ears. So you might want to exercise some caution and be selective about which concerts you attend and wear earplugs.
- Fireworks: Dogs have the right idea. Your hearing can most certainly be harmed by fireworks. This goes for both commercial and home launched fireworks. It’s best for your hearing to stay away from fireworks entirely.
This list isn’t exhaustive. Summer fun for individuals who have hearing loss might not include quite as many of those fireworks and loud noise situations.
Having said that, you might not be able to, or even want to, avoid all loud noises during the summer. So what’s the solution? Well, you can wear ear protection. For instance, before you go to a live show, put in a set of earplugs so you can minimize most of the damage. You just need to make sure you’re using reliable ear protection.
Enjoy the sounds of summer
If you have hearing loss, the sounds of summer may feel like they’re getting further and further away (even as the heat of summer gets more and more oppressive). And that means you might miss a lot of the season’s joy.
Getting the most out of your summer then, may require coming to see us. We will be able to identify whether your hearing is waning or not, and what kind of hearing aid will be best for your situation.
So begin here if you’re ready to enjoy the dawn chorus. Because birdsongs are just the beginning of those awesome summer sounds.
Get a hearing tune-up this summer. Call us for a hearing assessment and find out if hearing aids are the right option for you.
