Have you ever woken up after a night’s sleep and heard birds singing a pleasant song through your open window? Most individuals probably don’t even know that those bird songs are called the “dawn chorus”. For whatever reason, birds see the sun rising and choose to start singing their favorite songs. 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 untreated hearing loss. And that’s unfortunate.
That’s particularly true because it’s not just birdsong you might be missing out on. Summer is full of awesome sounds. And if you find yourself oblivious to the sounds of summer, it might be due to some undiagnosed (or diagnosed and dismissed) hearing loss. The good news in these instances is that a device like a hearing aid could help you appreciate and enjoy your summer days more fully.
The sounds of summer
When you think about summer, you probably start off imagining the sun in a blue sky. And, a really, really hot sun (whew). But if you stick with your imagination a little longer, you’ll start incorporating highlights that make this blue sky feel more like summer, the sounds that fill out the day. Some sounds you might think about:
- The crashing of waves on the beach (or a babbling creek if you’re in a more inland area).
- Bees buzzing about helping nature bloom by pollinating flowers.
- Something as basic as your grandchildren laughing, perhaps as they run about the yard or as you watch a baseball game together.
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun sets.
- The sound of birds chirping, especially in the spring during, ahem, mating season. (Humans aren’t the only species to employ love songs.)
These are just a few examples. There are lots of sounds going on. The feeling and vibe of summer are considerably enhanced by these sounds. And these sounds by 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. If you have noticed your hearing loss then you should get some help with it.
Hearing aids can help you enjoy summer
Building connections is what hearing aids are really about for most. Communication is key. You’ll be more mindful of what’s happening around you, better able to communicate with people around you, and appreciate the sounds in your world. 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 pretty amazing built in tech, too. For instance, most contemporary hearing aids offer:
- Automatic programming: You can program your modern hearing aids to automatically switch settings depending on the time of day or setting you find yourself in. This feature makes them more effective and simpler to use.
- Machine learning: Fancy algorithms (called machine learning) can help your hearing aids adjust to what you need, even before you need it. In loud environments or when eliminating particular sounds, this can be especially convenient.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Boating on the lake and want to enjoy some tracks? Well, your hearing aids can be connected to the boat’s stereo via Bluetooth.
- Rechargeability: You can recharge your hearing aid while you sleep and enjoy full batteries all through the day. It’s a lot like charging your cellphone. And when you travel with your hearing aids, it becomes really stress free.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can begin to enjoy all kinds of features by syncing your hearing aid to your cellphone. 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.
- Noise reduction: If you want to hear the sound of crashing waves, but not the roar of traffic behind you, you’ll want hearing aids that can help you sort through these sounds (in the same way your ears used to do). Modern hearing aids have substantial noise reduction features, so you can hear what you actually want to hear.
You can ask us about how your pair of hearing aids are suited to your favorite adventures (you can ask us whether you can take your hearing aids into the water or on a mountain hike for instance). 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 standard questions about your hearing aid models. Will your hearing aids have a problem with hot weather, for instance? Also, does humidity have any impact on my hearing aid and how can I protect it? Depending on the model of hearing aid, the answer to these questions will vary.
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 are sounds that are, well, noisy! And everybody’s ears are at risk even if they don’t have pre-existing hearing loss. Some of those sounds include:
- 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.
- 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. This means you might want to be particular about which shows you see (rather than attending a festival every weekend).
- Boat engines: Be careful of how close you get and how long you spend near these engines because they are really loud. Try not to keep the motor idling when you’re fishing. Or, an even better idea would be to put in some earplugs.
This is only a partial list. For people who are dealing with hearing loss, summer may have a few less of these loud activities.
But even with hearing loss you probably won’t want to avoid every noisy summer activity. So what’s the strategy? Wearing ear protection is the best strategy. Putting in a set of earplugs before you see any live music show can mitigate a lot of the damage, for example. But it’s important that the hearing protection you chooses is effective.
Enjoy the sounds of summer
As the heat of summer gets more oppressive, if you have hearing loss, the summer sounds may seem like they’re getting further away. Which means, much of the joy of the season could get lost.
Getting the most from your summer then, may require making a pit stop with us. We will be able to figure out whether your hearing is failing or not, and what kind of hearing aid will best suit your needs.
So if you want to enjoy the dawn chorus, that’s where you should start. Because birdsongs are just 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.
