Summer is the time of year to get outside, enjoy the warm weather, and take advantage of outdoor events — sporting events, farmers markets, concerts, music festivals, you name it. But if you have hearing loss, being outside can also present unique challenges. 

Luckily, with a little planning and the right tools, your hearing loss doesn’t have to keep you from enjoying your favorite outdoor activities this summer. 

Plan for the event 

You don’t need to go overboard, but having a little information ahead of the event can go a long way to ensuring you’re able to fully enjoy the experience. Do a little research on the sound system (if there is one) and acoustics at the venue. 

If your hearing aids have a t-coil, check whether the venue has a hearing loop, which will make it easier for you to enjoy the audio portions of the event.  

Depending on the event, you may be able to prepare even more. You can check with the event organizer about whether they’ll have captioning/subtitling options, personal amplification devices for rent, quiet zones, or even interpreters.  

If the event has assigned seating, you can select your seats with your hearing loss in mind. Being closer to the stage or speakers can make a big difference by cutting down on some of the ambient noise between you and the sounds you want to hear. 

Pack what you need 

Some outdoor events may be more suitable for hearing aids than others. For example, a day at the beach is filled with potential threats to your hearing aids, while an evening baseball game, for example, doesn’t pose as much of a danger to them. 

If you’re worried about your hearing aids at the event, consider bringing an older pair or cheaper over the counter (OTC) alternatives. You could also bring some cleaning supplies, though we don’t recommend giving your hearing aids a full deep cleaning in places where you can easily lose their smaller components. 

You could even consider getting some protective earmuffs to wear over your hearing aids. Some people with hearing loss who work in industries that require communication as well as exposure to frequent loud noises use this combination of technologies to not only protect their hearing, but their hearing aids as well.  

Check your user manual to see if your devices have outdoor hearing aid settings.  

Noise filtering earplugs 

Events like concerts can be a big danger to your ears, even if they’re outdoors. If you’re hoping to prevent or slow down further hearing loss, it’s worth considering noise-filtering earplugs. 

These specialty tools are designed specifically for concerts. High-quality, well-fitted filtered earplugs can block out dangerous volumes while still enabling you to enjoy the music and even conversations while you’re wearing them.  

Unlike the very basic form of earplugs most of us are probably used to, which are essentially just form-fitting pieces of foam or similar material that block off all sound from entering the ear canal, filtered earplugs include specialized acoustic filters designed to allow in some frequencies at a reduced volume. High-end models might also have different sound modes you can flip through depending on your needs at any given time.  

Manage noise and fatigue 

Going out during the summer can be exhausting. High temperatures and longer days can wipe anyone out, and for those of us with hearing loss, there’s the added exertion of separating important sounds from ambient noise in open spaces.  

Studies have confirmed this. Hearing loss can lead to fatigue because your brain has to work harder to make sense of the audio inputs it’s receiving. This is especially true in outdoor events, where so many sounds can hit your ears from every direction, all at once.  

There’s no shame in taking a break to recharge. Find a quieter place where you don’t have to listen to anything and just take a few minutes to have a snack, check your phone, and give your ears and brain a chance to rest. 

Head outdoors!

With the right planning, you can fully enjoy outdoor events this summer despite hearing loss. Choose seats that work to your advantage, learn about the venue ahead of time, and prepare your assistive technology the night before.  

Most importantly, enjoy yourself!