Have you ever woken up after a night’s sleep and heard birds singing a wonderful 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 coming up and choose to start belting out their favorite songs. Each type of bird has its own kind of song, and together, they sound like a symphony of nature.
But you may not hear the “dawn chorus” at all if you have neglected hearing loss. And that’s unfortunate.
That’s particularly true because it’s not just birdsong you may be missing out on. Summer is full of incredible sounds. And you may be missing those summer sounds because you have hearing loss that’s gone undiagnosed or simply neglected. But you can start to enjoy all of those amazing 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. But if you stay in your imagination a little longer, you’ll start incorporating details that make this blue sky seem more like summer, the sounds that fill out the day. Some sounds you might think about:
- The sound of frogs croaking at night, particularly in the early hours of the evening.
- Something as simple as your grandkids laughing, perhaps as they run about the yard or as you watch a baseball game with each other.
- The crashing of waves on the beach (or a babbling brook if you’re in a more landlocked area).
- Bees buzzing around helping nature bloom by pollinating flowers.
- The sound of birds performing mating songs. (Humans aren’t the only species to utilize love songs.)
These are only a few examples. Summer is alive with wonderful sounds. These are the sounds that fill in your summer, give it texture, and help deliver that overall vibe. Plus, there is so much joy in these simple sounds themselves.
If these summer sounds (or any sounds of summer) seem foreign to you these days, it’s probably because an apparent level of hearing loss has effectively crept up on you. If you have noticed your hearing loss then you should get some help with it.
Hearing aids can help you enjoy summer
For most individuals, hearing aids are really about strengthening connections. Communication is key. You’ll be more aware of what’s happening around you, better able to communicate with those around you, and enjoy the sounds in your life. And at those summer cook-outs, for instance, that’s even more relevant.
The newest models of hearing aids can help you savor the sounds of summer, and they come with some pretty amazing built in tech, too. Here are some instances of some of that powerful technology:
- Automatic programming: You can dial in your modern hearing aids to automatically adjust settings depending on the time of day or environment you find yourself in. This function makes them more reliable and simpler to use.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can begin to enjoy all types of features by connecting your hearing aid to your cellphone. Many phones will now allow you to download apps that help you control 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 time.
- Noise reduction: If you want to hear the sound of crashing waves, but not the thunder of traffic behind you, you’ll want hearing aids that can help you sort out these sounds (just like your ears used to do). Noise reduction features are common in modern hearing aids so you will be capable of dialing in the sounds you want to hear.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Out on the boat and want to listen to some music? Well, your hearing aids can be connected to the boat’s stereo via Bluetooth.
- Rechargeability: Your battery will stay charged throughout the day after charging when you are sleeping at night. It’s much like charging your phone. And when you travel with your hearing aids, it becomes very stress free.
- Machine learning: Fancy algorithms (called machine learning) can help your hearing aids adjust to what you need, even before you need it. In noisy environments or when filtering out particular sounds, this can be especially handy.
You can ask us about how your pair of hearing aids are appropriate for your favorite adventures (for example, you can ask whether you can use them while you’re swimming or hiking up a mountain, that kind of thing). Hearing aids usually don’t get along 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. For instance, you should ask, can hot weather impact my hearing aids? 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.
Some loud sounds you may want to avoid
Some summer sounds, unlike the dawn chorus, will be harmful to your ears and you should be certain to steer clear of them. These are sounds that are, well, noisy! And everyone’s ears are vulnerable even if they don’t have pre-existing hearing loss. Some of those sounds include:
- 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).
- Fireworks: The dogs are on to something. Going to fireworks shows can definitely harm your hearing. Similarly, being close to home-launched fireworks can also be damaging to your ears (and limbs). Best to simply avoid fireworks completely.
- Boat engines: Be careful of how close you get and how long you spend around these engines because they’re very loud. Try not to leave the motor idling when you’re fishing. Or, an even better idea would be to use some earplugs.
This is only a partial list. For individuals who are dealing with hearing loss, summer may have a few less of these loud events.
That said, you might not be able to, or even want to, avoid all loud noises during the summer. So what can you do? Well, you can wear ear protection. Putting in a pair of earplugs before you go to any live music show can mitigate much of the damage, for example. But it’s important that the hearing protection you chooses is effective.
Enjoy the sounds of summer
If you have 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). Which means, a lot of the joy of the season could pass you by.
So you might need to come in and see us if you want to be certain that you get the most out of your summer. We can help determine the state of your hearing and, if needed, help decide what type of hearing aid will be the best choice for you.
So if you want to enjoy the dawn chorus, that’s where you should start. Because birdsongs are only the beginning of those awesome summer sounds.
Get the most out of your ears this summer and beyond. Schedule an appointment today to find out which hearing aids are right for you!