The air may be getting cooler, but autumn brings a wealth of beauty and fun, with trees turning spectacular colors of orange, scarlet and gold. To really appreciate the full scope of Waterville’s beauty in autumn, you’ll want your sense of hearing just as much as you want your sense of sight. Put on your hearing aids and take in all the glorious sounds of the season.
Why You’re Missing Sounds with Hearing Loss
It’s a common misconception that hearing loss simply makes everything sound quieter, as if the volume got turned down on the whole world. In actuality, most people with hearing loss—notably presbycusis (age-related) and noise-induced hearing loss—lose their hearing by pitch, typically losing high-pitched sounds first.
Unfortunately, less than 30% of people who could benefit from hearing aids have ever used them. There are a number of reasons why someone who needs hearing loss treatment might not seek out the help they need, but one possible reason is that they underestimate how much of their hearing they have lost. They may believe they can hear “well enough” to delay getting treatment.
If you or someone you know falls into this camp, we want to remind you of some of the sounds you may be missing; perhaps you’ve even forgotten them.
Birdsong
October is a great month for birding in Maine: wrens, warblers, sparrows and woodpeckers abound. The sound of birdsong is an often-used example of sounds you rediscover with hearing aids, because birdsong so perfectly illustrates the phenomenon. It’s a high-pitched sound, and since it’s commonly perceived as background noise, your brain filters it out anyway. Therefore, when your ears stop picking up the sound of birdsong, there’s a strong possibility you didn’t even know what you were missing. Getting birdsong back is downright delightful.
Leaves Crunching
Maine’s fall foliage is famous, drawing millions of visitors from across the U.S. and Canada. You can enjoy leaf peeping by driving down one of Maine’s numerous scenic byways, or keep it local and take a walk through the park or the tree-lined neighborhood streets. The crisp crunch of leaves under your most comfortable fall boots is an idyllic sound for the season.
Flowing Water
Walking along the Kennebec River or spending the day by China Lake is made all the more relaxing by the sound of water rushing, waves gently lapping on the shore, and even rain. The calmness of these sounds is probably why they’re so popular for white noise machines.
Seeking Treatment for Hearing Loss
If you have hearing loss but you’re not currently a hearing aid user, we encourage you to seek treatment. Hearing is one of our five senses; they are crucial to our ability to connect to the world around us. Drink in all that fall in Waterville has to offer. Call us today to inquire about starting treatment.