Have you ever slept with your bedroom window open and awoke to the wonderful sound of birds singing as the sun is coming up? Most individuals 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 best melody. Each species has its own set of chirps and notes, and together, they sound like a symphony of nature.
But you might not hear the “dawn chorus” at all if you have neglected hearing loss. Which is a pity.
There are lots of incredible sounds during the summer besides birdsongs that you could be missing. And if you find yourself oblivious to the sounds of summer, it may be the result of some undiagnosed (or diagnosed and neglected) hearing loss. The good news in these cases is that a device like a hearing aid may help you appreciate and more fully enjoy your summer.
The sounds of summer
You most likely think of a really hot sun in a clear blue sky when you think about summer. And then you start to imagine the summer soundtrack that comes with this vision. You might be thinking about:
- The crashing of waves on the beach (or a babbling brook if you’re in a more inland area).
- The symphony of frogs croaking at night, especially in the early hours of the evening.
- The sound of your grandchildren laughing and playing.
- Bees buzzing about helping nature bloom by pollinating flowers.
- The sound of birds performing mating songs. (Love songs aren’t just appreciated by humans.)
These are just a few examples. There are a bunch of sounds happening. These are the sounds that complete your summer, give it quality, and help deliver that overall vibe. Plus, there is so much happiness in these everyday summertime sounds themselves.
It’s possible that hearing loss might have crept up on you, particularly if these or any other summer sounds sound to be foreign to you these days. Once you’ve noticed that problem, the next step is to do something about it.
Your summer can be more enjoyable with hearing aids
For most, hearing aids are really about creating relationships. They’re about communication. They make it easier to converse with others, to hear what’s happening around you, and to appreciate the sounds that you hear. And at those summer cook-outs, for example, that’s even more important.
The newest models of hearing aids can help you savor the sounds of summer, and they come with some rather great built in tech, as well. For example, most contemporary hearing aids offer:
- Noise reduction: You’ll want to have hearing aids that can sort through specific sounds (your ears used to do this) so you can enjoy those crashing waves without having the traffic behind you amplified as well. Noise reduction features are normal in modern hearing aids so you will be capable of dialing in the sounds you want to hear.
- Rechargeability: Your battery will remain 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 stress free.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can sync your hearing aids to your smartphone and start making the most of all kinds of features. Many cell phones will now allow you to download apps that help you manage the settings on your hearing aids, so you can adjust for birdsong or grandchildren’s laughter depending on what you want to hear at that moment.
- Machine learning: Your hearing aid can use “machine learning”, which are advanced intelligent algorithms, to adjust to your audio landscape before you even knew it needed to. This is especially handy when filtering sounds or in a loud setting.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Out on the boat and want to enjoy some music? Just sync the boat’s radio to your hearing aids using Bluetooth.
- Automatic programming: You can program your modern hearing aids to automatically switch settings depending on the time of day or environment you find yourself in. This makes them simpler to use and more effective.
We can help you learn how your specific hearing needs can be met by your hearing aids (you can ask us whether you can bring your hearing aids into the water or on a mountain hike for example). Hearing aids and water-sports don’t always play nice together. 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. Will your hearing aids have a problem with hot weather, for instance? Also, does humidity have any effect on my hearing aid and how can I safeguard it? Depending on the model of hearing aid, the answer to these questions will vary.
Perhaps stay away from these sounds
Some summer sounds, unlike the dawn chorus, will be harmful to your hearing and you should be certain to avoid them. These noisy sounds are a real hazard! And they’re damaging to everyone’s ears, not just individuals who have pre-existing hearing loss. Some of those sounds include:
- Boat engines: Be careful of how close you get and how long you spend around these engines because they are really loud. Try not to leave the motor idling when you’re fishing. Or, an even better idea would be to use some earplugs.
- 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: Outdoor concerts are a big part of summer, but they can be damaging to your ears. This means you might want to be selective about which shows you see (rather than going to a festival every weekend).
This is only a partial list. For individuals who are dealing with hearing loss, summer might have a few less of these noisy events.
But even with hearing loss you most likely won’t want to avoid every noisy summer activity. So what’s the strategy? Well, you can use ear protection. For example, before you go to a live show, put in a pair of earplugs so you can minimize most of the damage. But it’s essential that the hearing protection you chooses is effective.
Have fun this summer and enjoy the sounds
If you are dealing with hearing loss, the sounds of summer might feel like they’re growing further and further away (even as the heat of summer becomes more and more oppressive). Which means, much of the joy of the season could get lost.
Getting the most from your summer then, might mean making a pit stop with us. We will be able to identify whether your hearing is failing or not, and what type 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 amazing summer sounds.
Get your hearing tuned up this summer. Make an appointment today to find out which hearing aids are best for you!