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? Turns out, there’s a name for all those birdsongs: 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 kind of song, 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 especially true because it’s not just birdsong you might be missing out on. Summer is full of amazing sounds. And if you find yourself oblivious to the sounds of summer, it could be due to some undiagnosed (or diagnosed and neglected) hearing loss. But you can begin 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 probably start off imagining the sun in a blue sky. And, a very, very hot sun (whew). And then you begin to visualize the summer soundtrack that goes along with this vision. Some sounds you may think about:
- Something as simple as your grandkids laughing, perhaps as they run about the yard or as you watch a baseball game together.
- The babbling of a creek or the crashing of waves.
- The sound of birds singing, particularly in the spring during, ahem, mating season. (Love songs aren’t just appreciated by humans.)
- Bees buzzing around helping nature bloom by pollinating flowers.
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun goes down.
These are only a few examples. There are a bunch of sounds happening. The experience and vibe of summer are considerably enhanced by these sounds. Plus, there is so much happiness in these everyday summertime sounds themselves.
If these sounds of summer (or any summer sounds) seem foreign to you these days, it’s probably because a noticeable amount of hearing loss has successfully snuck up on you. If you have noticed your hearing loss then you need to get some help with it.
Your summer can be more enjoyable with hearing aids
Building relationships is what hearing aids are really about for most. They’re about communication. 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 barbecues, for instance, that’s even more important.
Modern hearing aids have some amazing technology that will help you savor those summer sounds. For instance, most contemporary hearing aids provide:
- 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 specific sounds, this can be especially convenient.
- Noise reduction: If you want to hear the crashing of the waves, but not the roar of traffic behind you, you’ll want hearing aids that can help you sort out these sounds (just like 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.
- Rechargeability: Your battery will stay charged throughout the day after charging when you are sleeping at night. It’s much like charging your phone. This also makes traveling with hearing aids much easier.
- Automatic programming: Contemporary hearing aids can automatically adjust to new settings or times of day, depending on how they’re programmed. This makes them simpler to use and more reliable.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Maybe you want some music playing while you’re out boating. Well, your hearing aids can be synced to the boat’s stereo via Bluetooth.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can begin to enjoy all kinds of features by connecting your hearing aid to your cellphone. Many cell phones will now permit 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.
We can help you learn how your specific hearing needs can be met by your hearing aids (for example, you can ask whether you can wear them while you’re going for a swim or hiking in the country, that kind of thing). Hearing aids and water-sports don’t always get along. But you will have a deeper overall summer experience with your hearing aids.
You’ll also want to ask us some basic questions about your hearing aid models. Will your hearing aids have an issue with hot weather, for instance? And you should also ask, how can I safeguard my hearing aids from humidity? The answer to both questions will depend on the model of hearing aid you use.
Some loud sounds you may want to avoid
As much as you love the sound of the dawn chorus, there are a few 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:
- Fireworks: Dogs have the right idea. Going to fireworks shows can certainly harm your ears. Likewise, being near home-launched fireworks can also be harmful to your hearing (and limbs). It’s best for your hearing to keep away from fireworks entirely.
- Boat engines: These engines are loud, so exercise some caution about distance and exposure time. Try not to leave the motor idling when you’re fishing. 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 damaging to your hearing. This means you might want to be particular about which shows you see (rather than going to a festival every weekend).
This list isn’t exhaustive. For individuals who are coping with hearing loss, summer may have a few less of these loud activities.
But even with hearing loss you most likely won’t want to stay away from every noisy summer event. So what can you do? Using ear protection is the best strategy. For example, before you go to a live show, put in a pair of earplugs so you can minimize most of the damage. You just need to make certain you’re using reliable ear protection.
Enjoy the sounds of summer
If you are dealing with hearing loss, the sounds of summer might feel like they’re growing further and further away (even as the heat of summer becomes more and more oppressive). Which means, much of the joy of the season could pass you by.
So you may need to come in and see us if you want to be certain that you get the most from your summer. We will be able to determine 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 enjoy the dawn chorus. Because birdsongs are only the beginning of those incredible summer sounds.
Get the most out of your ears this summer and beyond. Schedule an appointment today to find out which hearing aids are best for you!