Is hearing loss getting in the way of your summertime fun? The worse thing is when you don’t know you have loss of hearing. Some ear diseases and aging carry a prolonged loss of hearing which you might not even recognize. If you love summer fun, then why would you really want to get left behind because you can’t hear very well? Look for remedies to the difficulties which come along with hearing loss, so you can go out there and enjoy the good times with all your friends.
Summertime Cookouts
Summer barbecues do get a bit tricky when a person has hearing loss. To begin with, there is a lot of background noise. Lots of people are chatting everywhere. Kids are running about shrieking and enjoying themselves. You have the sounds of nature including singing birds, barking dogs, and the sound of food cooking on the grill.
All that noise interferes with any remaining hearing you have left. Background sounds will overwhelm someone who has hearing decline.
Here are a few ideas to help you compensate:
Some of the overpowering background noise can be minimized by going to a quiet place to sit for a while. You may need to look at peoples lips so put your back to the sun.
- Turn off any background music or turn it down, at least. Deciding not to play music is an option if you’re the host. If you are going to somebody else’s barbecue, mention the problem to the host.
- Walk away from time to time. It can be fatiguing when you are struggling to hear. Every hour or so go inside or a little ways away from all the noise.
- Inform others that you can’t hear. Don’t try to fake it because that can irritate others. If you can’t hear what someone said, let them know. You should also make use of visual clues that you are struggling such as cupping your ear. Normally, people will come closer to you or speak up to help.
Don’t attempt to hear everything. Understand that you can’t take part in every discussion. Set reasonable limits for yourself and try to participate in small groups instead.
Go Outdoors
If you just stay inside you don’t know what you’re missing. Don’t be scared to walk outside the house and focus on the sounds of nature. No, you won’t be able to hear everything but with a little concentration, you may hear more than you think possible.
Make a game out of it and listen for:
- Chirping birds
- Buzzing insects
- Crickets in the evening
- Rustling leaves
- Falling rain
- Kids running around and playing
- Barking dogs
- Splashing waves
Manage expectations when you go outdoors, to the beach, or for a walk in the park by attempting to hear one thing at a time.
Enjoy a Vacation or Maybe Just a Day Trip
Isn’t that what summertime is meant for? Decide what kind of vacation you would like and if there are limitations that come with your hearing loss. Sailing or fishing would be perfect but an amusement park could be a bit too much. Spend a day at a nature preserve or go to the zoo. 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, also, so they can get you a room with accommodations for the hearing impaired such as smoke alarms with flashing lights or shaking beds and TVs with closed captioning.
Improve Yourself
Learn to paint or maybe take an exercise class to better yourself this summer. If you would like to find a spot in the front, be sure to get there early. Take a couple of friends 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 couple of summertime activities which require you to take precautions to protect yourself, your ears, and any expensive hearing assistance devices you own. Play it safe by:
- While you are at the pool or beach, play it safe. Make sure you protect your hearing aids from water damage and put in some earplugs when you go swimming to prevent ear infections.
- If you want to walk after dark to enjoy the cool night air, bring a friend with you. The loss of hearing means you won’t always hear things such as automobiles driving towards you or even a stranger lurking behind you.
- Wear ear protection at fireworks shows and at concerts.
Try to Make The Most of it This Summer
Three simple things will help you prevent most of these things.
- Get your ears examined by a hearing specialist. It may be possible that your hearing loss is treatable.
- Get a professional hearing examination, so you know if you do actually have hearing loss.
- Wear good-quality hearing aids. They can get rid of any background noises so you will hear what is important.
Having fun is what summer is all about. Don’t allow the loss of hearing rob you of that.