Have you ever slept with your bedroom window open and awoke to the wonderful sound of birds singing as the sun is coming up? So happens, there’s a name for all those birdsongs: the dawn chorus. For whatever reason, birds see the sun rising and choose to start belting out their favorite songs. Each species has its own kind of song, and together, they sound like a symphony of nature.
But you may not notice 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 may be missing. And if you find yourself missing out on the sounds of summer, it might be due to 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 probably think of a really hot sun in a clear blue sky when you think of summer. And then you start to imagine the summer soundtrack that comes with this vision. You may be thinking about:
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun goes down.
- The sound of your grandchildren playing and laughing.
- The buzzing of bees as they fly around pollinating flowers and helping nature bloom.
- The sound of birds singing out mating songs. (Humans aren’t the only species to utilize love songs.)
- The crashing of waves on the beach (or a babbling brook if you’re in a more inland area).
These are only a few examples. Summer is lively with wonderful sounds. The experience and vibe of summer are considerably enhanced by these sounds. And these sounds by themselves bring great joy.
It’s feasible that hearing loss might have snuck up on you, especially if these or any other summer sounds seem to be different to you these days. If you have detected your hearing loss then you should get something done about it.
Your summer can be more enjoyable with hearing aids
Building connections is what hearing aids are really all about for most. Communication is key. They make it easier to talk to others, to hear what’s happening around you, and to enjoy the sounds that you hear. And that’s particularly significant at those summer barbecues, for instance.
The latest models of hearing aids can help you savor the sounds of summer, and they are equipped with some rather great built in tech, too. For example, most contemporary hearing aids provide:
- Noise reduction: You’ll want to get hearing aids that can differentiate particular 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 able to dial in the sounds you want to hear.
- Machine learning: Your hearing aid can use “machine learning”, which are sophisticated intelligent algorithms, to adapt to your audio landscape before you even recognized it needed to. In noisy environments or when filtering out particular sounds, this can be especially handy.
- Rechargeability: Your battery will stay charged all day after charging when you are sleeping at night. It’s much like charging your cellphone. And when you travel with your hearing aids, it becomes really hassle free.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Maybe you want some music playing while you’re out on the boat. Well, your hearing aids can be synced to the boat’s stereo via Bluetooth.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can begin to enjoy all types of features by syncing your hearing aid to your cellphone. Many phones will now enable 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.
- 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 easier to use and more effective.
We can help you discover how your specific 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 kind of thing). Hearing aids often don’t play well with water. But you will have a richer overall summer experience with your hearing aids.
Also, asking us basic questions about your hearing aid model will be a good idea. Will your hearing aids have a problem with hot weather, for example? Also, does humidity have any impact on my hearing aid and how can I protect it? The answer to both questions will depend on the model of hearing aid you use.
Perhaps stay away from these sounds
Some summer sounds, unlike the dawn chorus, will be harmful to your ears and you should be certain to avoid them. These loud sounds are a real hazard! And everybody’s ears are vulnerable even if they don’t have pre-existing hearing loss. Some of those sounds include:
- Live music: Outdoor concerts are a fun 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 attending a festival every weekend).
- Fireworks: The dogs are on to something. Attending fireworks shows can definitely harm your ears. Similarly, being near home-launched fireworks can also be harmful to your ears (and limbs). It’s best for your hearing to keep away from fireworks entirely.
- Boat engines: Be careful of how close you get and how long you spend around these engines because they are very loud. When you’re fishing, turn the engine off. Or, even better, put in some earplugs for the entirety of your boat trip.
This list isn’t exhaustive. Summer fun for individuals with hearing loss may not include quite as many of those fireworks and loud noise situations.
Having said that, you may not be able to, or even want to, stay away from all loud noises over the summer. So what can you do? Well, you can use ear protection. Popping in a set of earplugs before you go to any live music show can minimize a lot of the damage, for example. But it’s important that the hearing protection you chooses is reliable.
Enjoy the sounds of summer
If you are dealing with 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 from your summer then, may mean coming to see us. We will be able to figure out whether your hearing is waning or not, and what type of hearing aid will be best for your situation.
So start here if you’re ready to appreciate the dawn chorus. Because birdsongs are only the beginning of those amazing summer sounds.
Get your hearing tuned up this summer. Schedule an appointment today to find out which hearing aids are best for you!
