Have you ever slept with the window in your bedroom open and woken up to the beautiful sound of birds singing just as the sun comes up? So happens, there’s a term 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 sounding together, are a beautiful symphony.
But you might not hear the “dawn chorus” at all if you have neglected hearing loss. Which is a shame.
There are lots of incredible sounds during the summer besides birdsongs that you might be missing. And if you find yourself oblivious to the sounds of summer, it could be because of some undiagnosed (or diagnosed and ignored) hearing loss. But you can begin to enjoy all of those wonderful summer sounds again with the help of a device like a hearing aid.
Summer sounds
You likely think of a really 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 in the day. You might be thinking about:
- The sound of birds singing, especially in the spring during, ahem, mating season. (Love songs are not just appreciated by humans.)
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun goes down.
- The sound of your grandkids laughing and playing.
- The buzzing of bees as they fly around pollinating flowers and helping the landscape bloom.
- The babbling of a creek or the crashing of waves.
These are only a few examples. There are a bunch of sounds going on. These are the sounds that fill in your summer, give it quality, and help establish that overall vibe. Plus, there is so much pleasure in these everyday summertime sounds themselves.
It’s feasible that hearing loss might have snuck up on you, particularly if these or any other summer sounds seem to be foreign to you these days. If you have recognized your hearing loss then you should get something done about it.
Your summer can be more enjoyable with hearing aids
For most, hearing aids are really about building connections. They’re about communication. You’ll be more mindful of what’s taking place around you, better able to communicate with people around you, and appreciate the sounds in your life. And that’s especially significant at those summer barbecues, for instance.
The newest models of hearing aids can help you bask in the sounds of summer, and they are equipped with some rather amazing built in tech, as well. For instance, most modern hearing aids provide:
- Smartphone compatibility: You can start to enjoy all kinds of features by connecting your hearing aid to your smartphone. Many cell phones will now enable you to download apps that help you manage the settings on your hearing aids, so you can fine-tune for birdsong or grandkid’s laughter depending on what you want to hear at that time.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Boating on the lake and want to enjoy some music? Well, your hearing aids can be synced to the boat’s stereo via Bluetooth.
- Automatic programming: Contemporary hearing aids can automatically adjust to new environments or times of day, depending on how you program them. This makes them easier to use and more reliable.
- Noise reduction: You’ll want to get hearing aids that can sort through specific sounds (your ears used to do this) so you can appreciate 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.
- Machine learning: Your hearing aid can use “machine learning”, which are sophisticated intelligent algorithms, to adjust to your audio landscape before you even knew it needed to. This is especially convenient when filtering sounds or in a noisy environment.
- Rechargeability: You can recharge your hearing aid while sleeping and get full batteries throughout the day. It’s a lot like charging 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 appropriate for your favorite activities (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 all in all, your hearing aids will make your summer an all around richer experience.
You’ll also want to ask us some basic questions about your hearing aid models. For example, you should ask, can hot weather affect my hearing aids? And you should also ask, how can I safeguard my hearing aids from moisture in the air? The answer to both questions will depend on the model of hearing aid you use.
Perhaps stay away from 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 stay away from them. These loud 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 proximity and exposure time. When you’re fishing, shut the engine off. Or, an even better plan would be to use some earplugs.
- Live music: Outdoor concerts are a fun part of summer, but they can be harmful to your hearing. This means you may want to be selective about which shows you see (rather than going to a festival every weekend).
- Fireworks: Dogs have the right idea. Your hearing can definitely be harmed by fireworks. This includes both commercial and home launched fireworks. Best to just avoid fireworks completely.
This list is not exhaustive. Summer activities for people who have hearing loss might not include quite as many of those fireworks and loud noise situations.
That said, you may not be able to, or even want to, stay away from all loud noises during the summer. So what can you do? Well, you can use ear protection. Putting in a pair of earplugs before you see any live music show can minimize much of the damage, for instance. You just need to make certain you’re using reliable ear protection.
Have fun this summer and enjoy the sounds
If you have 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 from your summer then, might mean making a pit stop with us. We can help figure out the state of your hearing and, if needed, help decide what type of hearing aid will best suit your needs.
So start here if you’re ready to enjoy the dawn chorus. And you’ll also be able to enjoy all of the other wonderful summer sounds.
Get the most from your ears this summer and beyond. Schedule an appointment today to find out which hearing aids are best for you!