Have you ever slept with your bedroom window open and woken up to the lovely sound of birds singing as the sun is coming up? Most people probably don’t even know that the name for those bird-songs is the “dawn chorus”. Birds see the sunrise and, for some reason, decide it’s time to sing out their best melody. The songs of these birds, when they’re all sounding together, are a beautiful symphony.
Of course, if you have untreated hearing loss, you might not hear the dawn chorus at all. Which is a pity.
There are a lot of incredible sounds during the summer besides birdsongs that you may be missing. And if you find yourself oblivious to the sounds of summer, it might be because of some undiagnosed (or diagnosed and ignored) hearing loss. But you can start 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 begin by imagining the sun in a blue sky. And, a very, very hot sun (whew). But if you stay in your imagination a bit longer, you’ll begin incorporating highlights that make this blue sky seem more like summer, the sounds that fill out the day. Some sounds you might think about:
- The buzzing of bees as they fly around pollinating flowers and helping nature bloom.
- The sound of birds singing out mating songs. (Love songs aren’t just appreciated by humans.)
- Peepers and crickets chirping a symphony as the sun goes down.
- The sound of your grandkids playing and laughing.
- The crashing of waves on the beach (or a babbling creek if you’re in a more inland area).
These are just a few examples. There are lots of sounds going on. These are the sounds that fill in your summer, give it texture, and help deliver that overall vibe. Plus, there is so much happiness in these simple 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. Once you’ve detected that problem, the next step is to take action.
Your summer can be more enjoyable with hearing aids
For most, hearing aids are really about building relationships. They’re about communication. You’ll be more mindful of what’s happening around you, better able to communicate with those around you, and appreciate the sounds in your world. And that’s especially important at those summer barbecues, for example.
Contemporary hearing aids have some fantastic technology that will help you bask in those summer sounds. Here are some examples of some of that potent technology:
- 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 through these sounds (just like your ears once did). Modern hearing aids have significant noise reduction features, so you can hear what you really want to hear.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can connect your hearing aids to your smartphone and start making the most of all sorts of features. Many cell phones will now allow you to download apps that help you control 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 moment.
- Automatic programming: Modern hearing aids can automatically adjust to new environments or times of day, depending on how you program them. This function makes them more effective and easier to use.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Out on the boat and want to listen to some music? Just sync the boat’s radio to your hearing aids via Bluetooth.
- Rechargeability: Your battery will stay charged all day after charging while you sleep at night. It’s a lot like charging your phone. And when you vacation with your hearing aids, it becomes really hassle free.
- Machine learning: Your hearing aid can utilize “machine learning”, which are sophisticated intelligent algorithms, to adapt to your audio landscape before you even knew it needed to. In loud settings or when filtering out specific sounds, this can be especially handy.
We can help you learn how your specific hearing needs can be met by your hearing aids (for instance, you can ask whether you can wear 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. 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 safeguard it? Depending on the model of hearing aid, the answer to these questions will vary.
Maybe avoid these sounds
As much as you love the sound of the dawn chorus, there are a few other summer sounds that could actually be damaging to your hearing, so you’ll probably want to avoid them. These loud sounds are a real hazard! And they’re harmful to everyone’s ears, not just individuals who have pre-existing hearing loss. Here are a few of those sounds:
- 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 keep the motor idling when you’re fishing. Or, better yet, put in some earplugs for the duration of your boat trip.
- Live music: It’s great fun to attend a live music concert but the loud volume can be harmful to your ears. So you may want to use some caution and be picky about which concerts you attend and use earplugs.
- Fireworks: Dogs have the right idea. Your hearing can definitely be damaged by fireworks. This includes both commercial and home launched fireworks. It’s best for your hearing to keep away from fireworks completely.
This is only a partial list. For individuals who are dealing with hearing loss, summer might have a few less of these noisy events.
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? Using ear protection is the best solution. Popping in a pair of earplugs before you see any live music show can minimize much of the damage, for example. But it’s important that the hearing protection you chooses is effective.
Have fun this summer and enjoy the sounds
If you have hearing loss, the sounds of summer could feel like they’re getting 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 get lost.
So you may need to pay us a visit if you want to make sure you get the most out of your summer. We can help determine the state of your hearing and, if necessary, help determine what type of hearing aid will be the best choice for you.
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 out of your ears this summer and beyond. Make an appointment today to find out which hearing aids are right for you!
