Is hearing loss interfering with your summertime fun? Chances are it’s even worse if you’re not aware of it. Certain ear conditions and aging can bring a prolonged decline of hearing which you may not even recognize. If you really love summer fun, then why would you want to lose out just because you don’t hear very well? There are various solutions to your loss of hearing that should get you right back out there having summertime fun.
Summertime Cookouts
Cooking out in the summer might get challenging when you have hearing loss. For starters, there is a lot of background noise. People are chatting everywhere. In the yard and in the pool children are yelling and having fun. There is the crackling sound of the stuff cooking on the grill and, of course, the wonderful sounds of the natural world.
Whatever hearing you may have left can’t contend with all that diverse noise. This amount of background noise can easily overwhelm someone that has hearing decline.
Try these things to compensate:
Look for a peaceful spot to sit to minimize some of that overpowering background noise. You may need to see peoples lips so put your back to the sun.
- Shut off the background music or turn it down, at least. You might decide not to have music if you are hosting the barbecue. At other peoples barbecues be sure to tell the host that you have hearing difficulties.
- Now and then just walk away. You use a lot of energy struggling to hear. Go indoors and away from everyone for a few minutes every hour and sit somewhere quiet to recharge.
- Inform others that you can’t hear. People will get annoyed when you attempt to fake it. Tell people when you can’t hear them. You can also make use of visual hints that you are struggling such as cupping your ear. Normally, people will come closer to you or speak up to help out.
Don’t attempt to hear everything. Accept that you can’t take part in every conversation. Set realistic limits for yourself and try to participate in small groups instead.
Go Outdoors
What might you be missing by remaining inside? Don’t be scared to go outside and focus on the sounds of the natural world. You won’t hear everything, but with a small amount of focus, you might be amazed by the things you will hear.
Make a game out of it and listen for:
- Singing birds
- Insects buzzing
- Crickets in the evening
- The leaves blowing
- Rain on your roof
- Kids running around and playing
- Barking dogs
- Splashing waves
Manage expectations when you go outside, to the beach, or for a walk in the park by attempting to listen to one thing at a time.
Enjoy a Vacation or Maybe Just a Day Trip
That’s really what summer is meant for, isn’t it? What kind of vacation do you enjoy? What limitations come with your hearing loss that will affect it? Sailing or fishing would be ideal but an amusement park might be a bit too much stimulation. Go to the zoo or possibly go to a nature preserve. Going to a museum or taking a stroll on the boardwalk by the beach are great choices.
Don’t let your loss of hearing take away your opportunity to travel this summer. If you’re going to fly, inform the airline that you have hearing loss when you book the ticket. Inform the hotel or resort, also, so they can get you a room with accommodations for the hearing impaired like smoke alarms with flashing lights or shaking beds and TVs with closed captioning.
Improve Yourself
Look for ways to better yourself this summer such as taking a fitness class or learning to paint. Arrive early, so that you can get a spot up front. Take a couple of friends with you and have them fill you in on what you are missing during the session.
This Summer You Should Take Safety Measures
There are a couple of summer traditions which require you to take safety measures to protect yourself, your ears, and any costly hearing assistance devices you own. Play it safe by:
- While you are at the pool or beach, play it safe. Don’t let your hearing aids get wet and use earplugs when you go in the water.
- Take someone with you on those pleasant evening walks. There are dangers like a car coming toward you or somebody lurking near you which you might not hear.
- Wear ear protection at fireworks and at concerts.
Making The Most of it This Summer
Three simple things will help you eliminate most of these things.
- Have your ears checked by a hearing care specialist. It is possible your hearing loss is treatable.
- Get a professional hearing test, to determine if you do actually have hearing loss.
- Wear high-quality hearing aids. They will filter out any background noises so that you hear what’s relevant.
Summertime is all about having fun. Don’t allow the loss of hearing rob you of that.