Are you going to sit indoors and lose out on summer fun just because you can’t hear well? If you don’t know about your hearing loss, it’s even worse. The slow decrease of hearing that goes along with aging and certain ear diseases can mean that you won’t always realize that there are things which you can’t hear any longer. You might also hold back on engaging in fun summertime activities that you love just because you don’t hear as well. You will still be able to get out and have a great time if you look for certain practical solutions to your hearing loss challenges.
Summer Barbecues
Loss of hearing will be tricky during summer cookouts. To begin with, there is a large amount of background noise. Everywhere around you, people are chatting. Kids might be playing in the yard or yelling in the pool. You have the sounds of nature including singing birds, barking dogs, and the crackling sound of food cooking on the grill.
Whatever hearing that may remain can’t contend with all that diverse noise. When a person has hearing decline, background sounds have a tendency to take over.
Here are a few ideas to help you compensate:
Some of the overpowering background noise can be minimized by finding a peaceful place to sit for a while. Facing away from the sun will permit you to look at people when they are talking and use 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 the host of the barbecue. At other peoples cookouts make sure you tell the host that you have hearing difficulties.
- Walk away from time to time. It can be exhausting when you are struggling to hear. Every hour or so try to go indoors or away from all the noise.
- Let people know when you can’t hear. People will get frustrated if you try to fake it. If you don’t hear what someone said, tell 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 louder to help.
Don’t attempt to hear everything. Accept that you can’t participate in every discussion. Instead, attempt to participate in small groups of people and set realistic limits for yourself.
Go Outdoors
What might you be missing out on by staying inside? Don’t be afraid to go outside the house and focus on the sounds of nature. You won’t be able to hear everything, but with a little focus, you might be amazed by the things you will hear.
Make a game out of it and listen for:
- Birds singing
- Buzzing insects
- Evening crickets
- Blowing leaves
- Falling rain
- Kids running around and playing
- Dogs barking
- Splashing waves
If you only try to listen to one thing at a time, you can manage your expectations every time you go outdoors, head for the beach or walk in the park.
Enjoy a Vacation or Maybe Just a Day Trip
Isn’t that what summer is all about? What sort of vacation would you enjoy? What limitations come along with your hearing loss that will affect it? Sailing or fishing would be perfect but a theme park could be a bit too much. Go to the zoo or perhaps go to a nature preserve. Take a walk on the boardwalk by the beach or head to a museum.
Don’t let your loss of hearing rob you of your chance to travel this summer. If you’re going to fly, tell the airline that you have hearing loss when you buy your ticket. Alert the hotel or resort, too, so they can get you a room that has accommodations for the hearing impaired including smoke alarms with flashing lights or shaking beds and TVs with closed captioning.
Work on Yourself
Learn to paint or perhaps take a fitness class to improve yourself this summer. Arrive early, so you can get a place up front. If you do miss anything, it would be smart to have a friend or two with you to let you know what you might have missed.
Safety Precautions Should Be Taken This Summer
There are a couple of summer traditions that 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 at the pool or beach, make sure you play it safe. Wear earplugs to avoid ear infections and keep your hearing aids dry.
- Don’t take evening walks on your own. You may not hear the warning sounds from potential dangers like oncoming traffic or maybe even a threatening stranger coming up behind you.
- If you are attending fireworks or maybe a concert, use ear protection.
Making The Most of it This Summer
Most of these summer difficulties become less significant if you do three easy things.
- Get your ears checked by a hearing specialist. It may be possible that your hearing loss is treatable.
- Get a professional hearing test, so you know if you do 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 allow hearing loss take it away from you.