Even if you’ve long left school, summer still brings a special sense of joy and freedom. The final bell rang, we met our friends out by the school bus, and waved goodbye for 2 or 3 relaxing months of playtime. These days, you may not get a full break during summer, but it is often the time for vacation and time spent outdoors. It’s the perfect time of year to tune up your hearing aid to make sure you don’t miss the sounds of summer!
Sounds of summer: Weather sounds
There’s nothing better than a cool summer night where you can open your windows and listen to the patter of rain falling. Or imagine sitting out in hammock, swaying with the breeze as you hear the leafs rustle around you. Better yet, think about huddling around a door with your children, watching and listening to the lightning and booms associated with a thunderstorm.
If you do wear hearing aids, be careful not to get your devices wet. While they are semi-waterproof, they are still electronic and should not get doused with rain.
Sounds of summer: Animal sounds
Summer is the time for wildlife to emerge and make some noise. If you live near a pond or small body of water, you may be used to the ribbit of frogs or croak of a toad. You may enjoy watching birds or listening to their chatter and song outside your window. A woodpecker might even wake you up in the morning or an owl could keep you up at night.
Depending on the year and your location, you may get cicadas buzzing or crickets chirping. Summer is the time to get outside and enjoy the animals around you. Check out Hidden Hearing’s post on the animals with the best hearing if you want to learn more about what they’re hearing!
Sounds of summer: Staying active
Like many active families, you might enjoy time spent by the pool, so you’re used to yelling and splashing. If you’re by the beach, you may love the sound of crashing waves or the crunch of sand as you walk and make the first footprints in the morning. If you love sports, the crack of a baseball bat making contact with the ball is music to your ears. Did you know there are deaf baseball players? Hearing Like Me put the spotlight on 4 athletes figuring out the sport with nonverbal communication.
Sounds of summer: The great outdoors
Some families enjoy camping during the summer months, so they are used to the sound of a crackling fire and the taste of a melting marshmallow. Be careful if you are someone who wears a lot of bug spray or sunscreen with your hearing aids – they could get clogged if you’re not careful! There’s also something quintessentially “summer” to the sound of a lawn mower starting, an air conditioner whirling, or a steak sizzling on the grill.
No matter your favorite sound or playlist for summer, make sure you can really hear and enjoy them. Try out an online hearing test if you’re not sure where to start. You won’t regret it!
By: Diana Michel
Sources: Hidden Hearing, Hearing Like Me