Have you ever woken up after a night’s sleep and heard birds singing a pleasant song through your open window? Turns out, there’s a name for all those birdsongs: the dawn chorus. Birds see the sunrise and, for some reason, decide it’s time to sing out their best melody. Each species 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 untreated 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 awesome sounds. And you might 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 wonderful summer sounds again with the help of a device like a hearing aid.
The sounds of summer
You probably think of a very hot sun in a clear blue sky when you think about summer. But if you stay in your imagination a bit longer, you’ll begin adding highlights that make this blue sky feel more like summer, the sounds that fill in the day. Some sounds you might think about:
- Something as simple as your grandkids laughing, maybe as they run around the yard or as you catch a baseball game together.
- The crashing of waves on the beach (or a babbling creek if you’re in a more landlocked area).
- The sound of frogs croaking at night, particularly in the early hours of the evening.
- The buzzing of bees as they fly around pollinating flowers and helping the landscape bloom.
- The sound of birds singing out mating songs. (Humans aren’t the only species to utilize love songs.)
These are only a few examples. There are lots of sounds happening. These are the sounds that complete your summer, give it texture, and help create that overall vibe. And these sounds by themselves bring great joy.
It’s possible that hearing loss might have crept up on you, especially if these or any other summer sounds sound to be different to you these days. If you have noticed your hearing loss then you need to get some help with it.
Hearing aids can help you enjoy summer
For most people, hearing aids are really about building connections. They’re about communication. They make it easier to converse with others, to hear what’s going on around you, and to enjoy the sounds that you hear. And that’s especially significant at those summer barbecues, for instance.
The newest models of hearing aids can help you savor the sounds of summer, and they are equipped with some pretty amazing built in tech, too. Here are some instances of some of that powerful technology:
- Machine learning: Your hearing aid can use “machine learning”, which are advanced intelligent algorithms, to adapt to your audio landscape before you even recognized it needed to. In loud environments or when filtering out 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 through these sounds (in the same way your ears used to do). Noise reduction features are normal in modern hearing aids so you will be able to dial in the sounds you want to hear.
- Smartphone compatibility: You can begin to appreciate all kinds of features by syncing your hearing aid to your cellphone. Depending on the specific hearing situation, you will be able to manage the settings on your hearing aids by utilizing an app you can download on most smartphones.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Maybe you want some tunes while you’re out on the boat. Well, your hearing aids can be connected to the boat’s stereo using Bluetooth.
- Automatic programming: Modern hearing aids can automatically adapt to new settings or times of day, depending on how they’re programmed. This function makes them more effective and simpler to use.
- Rechargeability: Your battery will remain charged throughout the 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 especially stress free.
You can ask us about how your pair of hearing aids are suitable for your favorite activities (you can ask us if you can bring your hearing aids into the water or on a mountain hike for example). Hearing aids and water-sports don’t always get along. 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 practical idea. Will your hearing aids have an issue with hot weather, for example? 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.
Some loud sounds you may want to avoid
Some summer sounds, unlike the dawn chorus, will be harmful to your hearing and you should be certain to steer clear of them. These noisy 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:
- 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 hearing. This means you may want to be selective about which shows you see (rather than going to a festival every weekend).
- Boat engines: Be cautious of how close you get and how long you spend near these engines because they are very loud. Try not to leave the motor idling when you’re fishing. Or, an even better idea would be to use some earplugs.
- Fireworks: Dogs have the right idea. Your hearing can definitely be harmed by fireworks. This goes for both commercial and home launched fireworks. It’s best for your hearing to stay away from fireworks completely.
This is only a partial list. For individuals who are dealing with hearing loss, summer may have a few less of these noisy activities.
But even with hearing loss you probably won’t want to avoid every noisy summer event. So what’s the solution? Well, you can use ear protection. For instance, before you go to a live show, put in a set of earplugs so you can minimize a lot of the damage. But it’s essential that the hearing protection you chooses is reliable.
Have fun this summer and enjoy the sounds
As the heat of summer becomes more oppressive, if you are dealing with hearing loss, the summer sounds may seem like they’re getting further away. Which means, much of the joy of the season could pass you by.
So you may need to pay us a visit if you want to be certain that you get the most out of your summer. We can help figure out the state of your hearing and, if needed, help decide what type of hearing aid will best suit your needs.
So if you want to appreciate the dawn chorus, that’s where you should begin. Because birdsongs are just the beginning of those incredible summer sounds.
Get your hearing tuned up this summer. Call us for a hearing assessment and find out if hearing aids are the right choice for you.