Why let your summer get ruined by damaged hearing? Most likely it’s even worse if you’re not aware of it. The slow decline of your hearing that goes along with getting older and some ear diseases will mean that you don’t always realize that there are things which you don’t hear anymore. When you don’t hear as well it’s likely that you won’t even go to many exciting summertime activities. There are some solutions to your hearing loss that should get you back out there having summertime fun.
Summertime Cookouts
Summer barbecues do get a bit challenging when you have loss of hearing. Background noise is one big problem. All around you, people are conversing. In the yard and in the pool children are yelling and having fun. You have the sounds of nature like singing birds, barking dogs, and the crackling sound of cooking on the grill.
Whatever hearing you may have left can’t compete with all that noise. Background sounds will overwhelm someone who has hearing decline.
Try to do these things to compensate:
Some of the overwhelming background noise can be lessened by going to a peaceful place to sit for a while. Facing away from the sun will permit you to see people when they talk and read their lips to figure out words you miss.
- You can reduce the volume of background music. You might make the decision to go without the music if you are hosting the barbecue. When you are at other peoples barbecues make sure you tell the host about your hearing difficulties.
- Get away from time to time. It can be fatiguing when you are struggling to hear. Go inside and away from everyone for a few minutes every hour and sit someplace quiet to recharge.
- Let others know if you can’t hear. It’s aggravating for you and those near you when you try to fake it. If you can’t hear what someone said, tell them. You should also make use of visual hints that you are struggling such as cupping your ear. Normally, people will move closer to you or speak up to help.
Don’t try to hear everything. Understand that you can’t get involved in every discussion. Set reasonable limits for yourself and try to take part in small groups instead.
Go Outdoors
If you just remain indoors you don’t know what you’re missing. Don’t be frightened to go outside the house and focus on the sounds of the natural world. You won’t be able to hear everything, but with a little focus, you might be amazed by the sounds you will hear.
Make a game out of it and listen for:
- Chirping birds
- Insects buzzing
- Crickets in the evening
- Blowing leaves
- Falling rain
- People jumping in the pool or playing in the yard
- Dogs barking
- Splashing waves
If you just try to hear one thing at a time, you can manage your expectations every time you go outdoors, head to the beach or walk in the park.
Enjoy Day Trips or Even a Much Needed Vacation
That’s truly what summer is all about, isn’t it? What type of vacation do you enjoy? What restrictions come with your hearing loss that will affect it? For instance, an amusement park could be a little too much stimulation, but sailing or fishing work perfectly. Going out into nature would also work. A museum or taking a stroll on the boardwalk by the beach are great choices.
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 offer you a room that has accommodations for the hearing impaired including smoke alarms with flashing lights or shaking beds and TVs that have closed captioning.
Improve Yourself
Look for methods to improve yourself this summer like taking a fitness class or learning to paint. If you want to find a place up front, get there early. Take a friend or two with you and have them fill you in on what you might miss during the session.
This Summer You Should Take Safety Precautions
There are a couple of summertime activities which require you to take safety measures to protect yourself, your ears, and any expensive hearing assistance devices you own. Play it safe by:
- Playing it safe while at the pool or swimming. Use earplugs to prevent ear infections and don’t let your hearing aids get wet.
- Take a friend with you when you go on those enjoyable evening walks. There are potential risks such as a car or truck driving toward you or someone lurking close to you which you probably won’t hear.
- Protect what hearing you do have left by using ear protection if you go to see the fireworks for Independence Day or to an outdoor concert.
Making The Most of it This Summer
Three simple things will help you eliminate most of these things.
- Get your ears checked by a hearing specialist. It is possible that your hearing loss is treatable.
- Get a professional hearing test, to determine if you do actually have hearing loss.
- Get good-quality hearing aids. They will filter out background noises so you hear what’s relevant.
Having fun is what summer is all about. Don’t let the loss of hearing rob you of that.