Is the loss of hearing interfering with your summer fun? If you don’t know about your hearing loss, it’s probably even worse. A few ear diseases and aging bring a prolonged loss of hearing that you may not even detect. If you love summer fun, then why would you choose to get left behind simply because you can’t hear very well? You will still be capable of getting out and having a blast if you look for a few practical solutions to your hearing loss difficulties.

Summer Barbecues

Summertime cookouts do get a little challenging when you have hearing loss. One of the most difficult things is background noise. Everywhere around you, people are conversing. Kids are running about yelling and playing. There is the crackling of the food cooking on the grill and, of course, the wonderful sounds of nature.

If you do have some amount of hearing loss, all of these various noises and sounds can be quite frustrating. Background sounds will overwhelm someone who has hearing loss.

Here are a few ideas to help you compensate:

Some of the overpowering background noise can be minimized by finding a quiet place to sit for a while. Turning away from the sun will permit you to look at people when they talk and use their lips to figure out words you miss.

• Shut off the background music or turn it down, at least. You could choose to go without the music if you are hosting the barbecue. Tell the host about your issue if you are going to someone else’s cookout.
• Get away from time to time. It can be fatiguing when you are struggling to hear. Every hour or so go indoors or a little ways away from all the noise.
• Inform others that you can’t hear. It’s aggravating for you and those near you 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 difficulty hearing. They will usually get closer or speak up to help out.

Don’t try to hear everything. Accept that you can’t get involved in every discussion. Set reasonable limits for yourself and try to take part in small groups instead.

Go Outdoors

Do you truly realize what you might be missing outside? Don’t be scared to walk outside and focus on the sounds of the natural world. You won’t hear everything, but with a little focus, you may be surprised by the things you can hear.

Make a game out of it and listen for:

• Singing birds
• Insects buzzing
• Crickets at night
• The leaves blowing
• The rain falling
• Kids running around and playing
• Barking dogs
• Splashing waves

Temper expectations when going outdoors, 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

Isn’t that what summertime is all about? What sort of vacation do you enjoy? What constraints come along with your hearing loss that will affect it? For instance, a theme park may be a little too much stimulation, but sailing or fishing work nicely. Go to the zoo or possibly go to a nature preserve. Take a walk on the boardwalk by the beach or go to a museum.

Don’t let your loss of hearing rob you of your opportunity to travel this summer. If you are flying, notify the airline that you have hearing loss when you book your ticket. Inform the hotel or resort, as well, 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 that have closed captioning.

Work on Yourself

Learn how 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. Bring a friend or two 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 number of summer activities that require you to take safety measures to protect yourself, your ears, and any costly hearing assistance devices you own. Play it safe by:

• Taking care while by the pool or swimming. Wear earplugs to prevent ear infections and keep your hearing aids dry.
• Don’t go on evening walks by yourself. There are potential risks like a car driving toward you or somebody lurking close to you which you might not hear.
• Use ear protection at fireworks and at live shows.

Try to Make The Most of it This Summer

Many of these summer difficulties become less significant if you do three simple things.

• Get your ears checked by a hearing care specialist. It is possible your hearing loss is treatable.
• Get a professional hearing examination, to determine if you do actually have hearing loss.
• Wear good-quality hearing aids. They can filter out any background noises so that you will hear what’s relevant.

Summertime is all about having fun. Don’t let hearing loss take it away from you.