Is the loss of hearing interfering with your summer fun? If you’re not aware of your hearing loss, it’s probably even worse. The slow decline of hearing which comes with aging and certain ear diseases will mean that you won’t always recognize that there are things which you don’t hear any longer. If you enjoy summer fun, then why would you really want to miss out because you don’t hear very well? There are some solutions to your loss of hearing that should get you right back out there having summertime fun.
Summer Barbecues
Loss of hearing will be tricky at summer barbecues. For one thing, there is a large amount of background noise. Lots of people are conversing all around you. Kids might be playing in the grass or yelling in the pool. There is the sound of the food cooking on the grill and, of course, the wonderful sounds of the natural world.
If you do have some amount of loss of hearing, all of these noises and sounds will be quite challenging. This type of background noise can easily overtake someone that has hearing decline.
Here are a few tips to help you compensate:
Sitting in a quiet spot for short periods can help eliminate some of that overwhelming background noise. You might need to see peoples lips so put your back to the sun.
- You can reduce the volume of background music. If you are hosting the barbecue, you can just choose not to play music. If you are visiting somebody else’s cookout, mention the problem to the host.
- Get away from time to time. Working to hear takes a lot of energy. Every hour or so go inside or a little ways away from all the noise.
- Let people know if you can’t hear. People will get frustrated when you try to fake it. Tell people when you can’t hear them. Visual clues such as cupping your ears will let people know that you’re having trouble hearing. Normally, people will come closer or speak up to help you.
Don’t try to hear everything. Accept that you can’t get involved in every discussion. Instead, attempt to participate in small groups of people and set practical limits for yourself.
Head Outdoors
Do you really realize what you are missing outside? Don’t be frightened to go outside and focus on the sounds of nature. No, you won’t be able to hear everything but with a little focus, you may hear more than you think possible.
Make a game out of it and listen for:
- Singing birds
- Buzzing insects
- Crickets at night
- Blowing leaves
- Rain on your roof
- Kids running around and playing
- Barking dogs
- Waves splashing
If you simply try to hear one thing at a time, you can manage your expectations every time you go outside, head for the beach or walk in the park.
Enjoy a Vacation or Maybe Just a Day Trip
That’s truly what summertime is meant for, isn’t it? Figure out what kind of vacation you might like and if there are restrictions that come along with your hearing loss. Sailing or fishing would be perfect but an amusement park might be a little too much. Going out into nature should also work. Going to a museum or taking a stroll on the boardwalk next to the beach are great choices.
You have a chance to travel this summer so don’t let your hearing loss take that away from you. Tell the airline about your condition when you get your ticket if you are flying. Alert the hotel, also, so they can offer you a room that has accommodations for the hearing impaired such as smoke alarms with flashing lights or shaking beds and TVs with closed captioning.
Improve Yourself
Look for ways to improve yourself this summer such as taking a fitness class or learning how to paint. Show up early, so you can get a place up front. Take a couple of friends with you and let them fill you in on what you are missing during the session.
Take Safety Measures This Summer
There are a couple of summertime traditions which require you to take precautions to protect yourself, your ears, and any expensive hearing assistance devices you own. Play it safe by:
- When you are enjoying the pool or beach, play it safe. Make sure to take care of your hearing aids from water damage and wear some earplugs if you go swimming to prevent ear infections.
- If you want to take a walk in the evening to appreciate the cool night air, bring someone with you. Loss of hearing means that you don’t always recognize things like vehicles driving towards you or even a stranger lurking behind you.
- 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
Most of these summer challenges become less substantial when you do three simple things.
- Get your ears checked by a hearing care specialist. It may be possible that your hearing loss is treatable.
- Get a professional hearing test, to determine if you do have hearing loss.
- Wear high-quality hearing aids. They will get rid of any background noises so you hear what is relevant.
Summertime is all about having fun. Don’t permit hearing loss rob you of that.