Have you ever slept with the window in your bedroom open and awoke to the lovely sound of birds singing as the sun is coming up? Most individuals probably don’t even know that those bird songs are called the “dawn chorus”. For whatever reason, birds see the sun coming up and choose to start singing their favorite songs. Each type of bird has its own set of chirps and notes, and together, they sound like a symphony of nature.
But you might not notice the “dawn chorus” at all if you have untreated hearing loss. And that’s unfortunate.
There are a lot of incredible sounds during the summer besides birdsongs that you may be missing. 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. But you can start to enjoy all of those amazing summer sounds again with the help of a device like a hearing aid.
The sounds of summer
When you think about summer, you likely start off visualizing the sun in a blue sky. And, a very, very hot sun (whew). But if you stick with your imagination a little longer, you’ll start adding details that make this blue sky seem more like summer, the sounds that fill in the day. Some sounds you might think about:
- The symphony of frogs croaking at night, especially in the early hours of the evening.
- The sound of your grandkids laughing and playing.
- The sound of birds performing mating songs. (Love songs are not just enjoyed by humans.)
- Bees buzzing about helping nature bloom by pollinating flowers.
- The babbling of a creek or the crashing of waves.
These are only a few examples. There are a bunch of sounds happening. These are the sounds that complete your summer, give it texture, and help deliver that overall vibe. And these sounds in and of themselves bring great happiness.
It’s possible that hearing loss may 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 issue, the next step is to take action.
Your summer can be more enjoyable with hearing aids
Building connections is what hearing aids are really about for most. Communication is key. 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 barbecues, for instance, that’s even more important.
The latest models of hearing aids can help you bask in the sounds of summer, and they are equipped with some rather amazing built in tech, too. Here are some examples of some of that potent technology:
- 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 through these sounds (in the same way your ears once did). 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 dial in your modern hearing aids to automatically change settings depending on the time of day or setting you find yourself in. This feature makes them more reliable and easier to use.
- Rechargeability: Your battery will stay charged throughout the day after charging when you are sleeping at night. Basically, you can charge your hearing aids in the same way you charge your cellphone. And when you vacation with your hearing aids, it becomes especially hassle free.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Maybe you want some music playing while you’re out on the boat. Just connect the boat’s radio to your hearing aids via Bluetooth.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can begin to enjoy all kinds of features by syncing your hearing aid to your smartphone. 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 cell phones.
- Machine learning: Fancy algorithms (called machine learning) can help your hearing aids adjust to what you need, even before you know you need it. This is especially convenient when filtering sounds or in a noisy setting.
You can ask us about how your set of hearing aids are appropriate for your favorite adventures (you can ask us if you can take your hearing aids into the water or on a mountain hike for example). Hearing aids frequently don’t get along with water. But all in all, your hearing aids will make your summer an all around livelier experience.
You’ll also want to ask us some standard questions about your hearing aid models. 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 will depend on the model of hearing aid you use.
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 avoid 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:
- Live music: It’s a lot of fun to attend a live music concert but the loud volume can be damaging to your hearing. So you may want to exercise some caution and be picky about which concerts you attend and wear earplugs.
- Boat engines: Be cautious of how close you get and how long you spend near these engines because they’re very loud. When you’re fishing, turn the engine off. Or, even better, pop in some earplugs for the entirety of your boat trip.
- Fireworks: The dogs are on to something. Your hearing can most certainly be harmed by fireworks. This includes both commercial and home launched fireworks. It’s best for your hearing to keep away from fireworks completely.
This list isn’t exhaustive. For individuals who are dealing with hearing loss, summer may have a few less of these noisy events.
But even with hearing loss you most likely won’t want to stay away from every loud summer activity. So what’s the strategy? Well, you can wear ear protection. For example, before you go to a concert, put in a pair of earplugs so you can decrease most of the damage. But it’s essential that the hearing protection you chooses is effective.
Appreciate the sounds of summer
If you have hearing loss, the sounds of summer might feel like they’re getting further and further away (even as the heat of summer gets more and more oppressive). Which means, much of the joy of the season could pass you by.
Getting the most from your summer then, may require making a pit stop with us. We will be able to identify whether your hearing is waning or not, and what type of hearing aid will be best for your situation.
So if you want to enjoy the dawn chorus, that’s where you should start. Because birdsongs are only the beginning of those incredible summer sounds.
Get the most from your ears this summer and beyond. Call us for a hearing test and discover if hearing aids are the right choice for you.