Why let your summer get wrecked by damaged hearing? Chances are it’s even worse if you don’t know it. A few ear diseases and getting older carry a prolonged loss of hearing that you may not even recognize. You may also hold back on engaging in summer events that you love just because you can’t hear as well. Look for remedies to the challenges that come along with loss of hearing, so you can get out there and enjoy the fun with everyone else.
Summertime Cookouts
Loss of hearing will be challenging during summer barbecues. One of the toughest things is background noise. People are talking everywhere. Kids are running around shrieking and enjoying themselves. There is the crackling sound of the stuff cooking on the grill and, of course, the wonderful sounds of nature.
Whatever hearing you may have left can’t compete with all that noise. This type of background noise will easily overwhelm someone that has hearing decline.
Try to do these things to compensate:
Find a relaxing place to sit to eliminate some of that overpowering background noise. Facing away from the sun will permit you to see people when they talk and use their lips to figure out words you miss.
- You can turn down the volume of background music. Choosing not to have music is an option if you’re the host. If you are going to somebody else’s cookout, mention the problem to the host.
- Now and then simply walk away. Working to hear takes a lot of energy. Every hour or so go inside or away from all the noise.
- Inform others that you can’t hear. It’s frustrating for you and people around you when you try to fake it. Tell people when you can’t hear them. Visual clues such as cupping your ears will help others realize that you’re having trouble hearing. Normally, people will come closer or speak up to help.
Don’t attempt to hear everything. The fact that you can’t engage in every conversation is something you need to understand. Set reasonable limits for yourself and try to take part in small groups instead.
Head Outdoors
If you just stay inside you don’t recognize what you’re missing out on. Don’t be frightened to walk outside the house and concentrate on the sounds of nature. No, you won’t be capable of hearing everything but with a little concentration, you might hear more than you might think.
Make a game out of it and listen for:
- Singing birds
- Insects buzzing
- Crickets in the evening
- The leaves blowing
- Falling rain
- People jumping in the pool or playing in the yard
- Barking dogs
- Splashing waves
If you just attempt to listen to one thing at a time, you can manage your expectations every time you go outside, head to the beach or walk in the park.
Enjoy a Vacation or Maybe Just a Day Trip
Isn’t that what summertime is meant for? What type of vacation would you enjoy? What limitations come along with your hearing loss that will affect it? Sailing or fishing would be ideal but an amusement park would probably be a bit too much stimulation. Spend the day walking around a nature preserve or possibly go to the zoo. A museum or taking a stroll on the boardwalk next to the beach are great choices.
Don’t let your loss of hearing 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 get you a room that has accommodations for the hearing impaired like smoke alarms with flashing lights or shaking beds and TVs with closed captioning.
Improve Yourself
Look for methods to better yourself this summer such as taking a fitness class or learning how to paint. Show up early, so that you can find a place up front. If you miss anything, it would be good 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 summertime traditions which require you to take safeguards to protect yourself, your ears, and any expensive hearing assistance devices you own. Play it safe by:
- While you are enjoying the pool or beach, play it safe. Put in earplugs to prevent ear infections and don’t let your hearing aids get wet.
- Bring a friend with you on those enjoyable evening walks. Loss of hearing means that you won’t always recognize sounds like automobiles driving towards you or even a stranger lurking behind you.
- If you are attending fireworks or maybe a live show, use ear protection.
Try to Make The Most of it This Summer
Three simple things will help you avoid 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 examination, so you know if you do actually have hearing loss.
- Get good-quality hearing aids. They will filter out any background noises so that you hear what is important.
Summertime is all about having fun. Don’t permit the loss of hearing take it away from you.