Why permit your summer to get spoiled by damaged hearing? Chances are it’s even worse if you don’t know it. The prolonged decrease of your hearing which goes along with aging and certain ear diseases can mean that you won’t always realize that there are some things which you can’t hear any longer. When your hearing has declined it’s very likely that you won’t even participate in many exciting summer activities. There are a few solutions to your loss of hearing that will get you back out there having summertime fun.
Summertime Cookouts
Summer barbecues do get a little challenging if you have loss of hearing. One of the most challenging issues is background noise. People are conversing all around you. Kids might be having fun in the yard or pool. You have the sounds of nature like singing birds, barking dogs, and the crackling sound of food cooking on the grill.
If you do have some degree of hearing loss, all of these various noises and sounds can be extremely challenging. When a person has hearing loss, background noises tend to take over.
There are some things you can try to compensate including:
Sitting in a quiet place for short periods will help eliminate some of that overpowering background noise. Turning away from the sun will allow you to see people when they talk and use their lips to figure out words you miss.
- Shut off any background music or turn it down, at least. If it’s your barbecue, you can just decide not to play music. Let the host know about your issue if you are going to someone else’s cookout.
- Get away from time to time. It takes a lot of energy struggling to hear. Step indoors and away from people for a few minutes every hour and sit someplace quiet to recharge.
- Let people know if you can’t hear. People will get frustrated when you attempt to fake it. Let people know when you can’t hear them. Cupping your ear and other visual clues can suggest that you can’t hear to others. Usually, people will step closer to you or speak up to help out.
Don’t try to hear everything. Accept that you can’t get involved in every conversation. As an alternative, attempt to engage in smaller groups of people and set realistic limits for yourself.
Go Outdoors
Do you really realize what you are missing outside? Don’t be afraid to go outdoors and concentrate on the sounds of the natural world. You won’t hear everything, but with a small amount of focus, you may be surprised by the things you will hear.
Make a game out of it and listen for:
- Singing birds
- Insects buzzing
- Evening crickets
- Blowing leaves
- Rain on your roof
- People jumping in the pool or playing in the yard
- Dogs barking
- Waves splashing
Manage expectations when going outdoors, to the beach, or for a walk in the park by trying to listen to one thing at a time.
Enjoy Day Trips or Even a Much Needed Vacation
Isn’t that what summer is meant for? What sort of vacation would you enjoy? What constraints come with your hearing loss that will affect it? Sailing or fishing would be perfect but a theme park could be a little too much stimulation. Spend a day walking around a nature preserve or maybe go to the zoo. Take a walk on the boardwalk near the beach or head to a museum.
Don’t let your hearing loss take away your chance to travel this summer. Tell the airline about your condition when you get your ticket if you are flying. Inform the hotel or resort, too, so they can give you a room with accommodations for the hearing impaired such as smoke alarms with flashing lights or shaking beds and TVs with closed captioning.
Work on Yourself
Look for ways to better yourself this summer like going to an exercise class or learning to paint. If you want to find a place in the front, be sure to get there early. Bring a friend or two with you and have them fill you in on what you are missing during the session.
Safety Precautions Should Be Taken This Summer
There are a number of summertime activities which require you to take safety measures to protect yourself, your ears, and any costly hearing assistance devices you own. Play it safe by:
- Playing it safe while at the pool or swimming. Use earplugs to avoid ear infections and keep your hearing aids dry.
- Bring someone with you when you go on those pleasant evening walks. You may miss the warning sounds from potential threats such as oncoming vehicles or maybe even a threatening stranger coming up from behind you.
- If you are going to fireworks or maybe a live show, wear ear protection.
Try to Make The Most of it This Summer
Three easy things will help you eliminate most of these things.
- Have your ears examined by a hearing specialist. It is possible your hearing loss is treatable.
- Get a professional hearing examination, to determine if you do actually have hearing loss.
- Wear good-quality hearing aids. They can get rid of background noises so that you will hear what is relevant.
Summertime is all about having fun. Don’t let the loss of hearing take it away from you.