The Best and Worst Sounds of Summer

Aaahh! Those joyous days of summer. Kids are out of school. Work deadlines seem fewer and farther between. Vacations are longer. And the weather is warm. All things to savor as summer’s final days approach. As I write this from the screened-in-porch of my home in upstate New York, I grow wistful, remembering the many sounds of summer—the best and the worst.

Sounds of summer

Here’s my list. Please share yours in the comments.

The Best Sounds of Summer

1. Leaves blowing in the breeze.

Sometimes wind noise can be bothersome, but the light breezes of summer are lovely. The visual aspect is beautiful too. As I watch the leaves twirl and sway, I wonder how much of the sound is in my mind’s ear versus reality. I enjoy it just the same.

2. The familiar jingle of the ice cream truck

Neighborhood kids come running whenever they hear the tinkling music of the ice-cream truck. It brings me back to my days as a child doing the same. Just like with Pavlov’s dogs, this time-tested tune brings on cravings for soft-serve with sprinkles.

3. Lightening bugs flashing

This one might not count because I’m not sure lightening bugs make a sound. But they should. My mind’s ear imagines a lightsaber buzzing each time I see the flash.

4. Tweeting birds

Up early in the summer, I enjoy the chorus of birds wishing me good morning. Occasionally an owl asks “who-cooks-for-you?” High pitch sounds are often the first to fade with hearing loss, putting the call of birds out of reach, but hearing aids can sometimes help us rediscover them.

5. Laughter shared with friends and family at an outdoor party

Summer is a time for socializing. Barbecues and other outdoor events are often easier for people with hearing loss—less background noise and more relaxed seating options. I take advantage as much as I can. Find my tips for enjoying a BBQ with hearing loss here.

The Worst Sounds of Summer

1. The loud and insistent din of cicadas

August brings the worst of summer, with the evening rush of cicadas wooing one another with sound. This insistent buzz blocks out almost everything else, including conversation. Sometimes I retire inside to get a break and to avoid triggering a bout of tinnitus.

2. Fireworks blasting

Fireworks are a traditional way to celebrate Fourth of July and other summer events, but I avoid them. The booming and banging are well above safe listening levels. If we partake, it is always from a great distance or with adequate hearing protection.

3. Outdoor lawn and construction work

Summer is the time to get long-term outside projects done, but the lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and jackhammering can all be too much. When the lawn mowing begins, I know it’s time to take respite indoors.

Happy summer everyone!

Readers, what are your most and least loved sounds of summer?

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Book: Hear & Beyond: Live Skillfully with Hearing Loss

6 thoughts on “The Best and Worst Sounds of Summer

  1. Best memory-triggering sounds:
    (1) People splashing in a pool, particularly the big thundering “Ka-ploosh” of someone doing a cannonball in the diving area. Or the “Smack” of someone doing a belly-flop.
    (2) The bugle calls at Summer Boy Scout Camp.
    (3) Listening to the Top-40 on a transistor radio at the Shore.

    1. Shari Eberts – NYC – Shari Eberts is a passionate hearing health advocate and internationally recognized author and speaker on hearing loss issues. She is the founder of Living with Hearing Loss, a popular blog and online community for people with hearing loss, and an executive producer of "We Hear You," an award-winning documentary about the hearing loss experience. Her book, "Hear & Beyond: Live Skillfully with Hearing Loss," (co-authored with Gael Hannan) is the ultimate survival guide to living well with hearing loss. Shari has an adult-onset genetic hearing loss and hopes that by sharing her story, she will help others to live more peacefully with their own hearing issues.
      Shari Eberts says:

      Good ones! Thank you for sharing them.

  2. Jerry Henderson – Pownal Maine – Thank you for coming to my space. This is where I post thoughts, opinions and commentary on a variety of subjects at irregular intervals. I try to do something weekly, but have not nailed down a rigid schedule, like every Wednesday, yet. If you would like email notifications of new posts, you can make that happen right on the site. Simply enter your email address to subscribe. Also, if you would like to comment I welcome that. Just do so in the space at the bottom of any selected post. Sharing thoughts, opinion and commentary is a peculiarly human characteristic. It must be exercised to be enjoyed. Jerry Henderson
    Jerry Henderson says:

    THE WORST SOUNDS: Lawn maintanence equipment – specially leaf blowers. Barking dogs. Hovering helicopters. Loud talk in any close situation. Sirens. . BEST SOUNDS: Bird song of all kinds. Well, I might make an exception for that gaggle of crows out back, who, when they have a convention, make more noise than a Saturn rocket at lift off. Crickets and cicadas. Summer thunder storms and hard rain. Wind in the trees. The sound of ocean waves on a rocky beach. Conversation with intimate friends. That palpable quietness of an early summer’s morning.

    1. Shari Eberts – NYC – Shari Eberts is a passionate hearing health advocate and internationally recognized author and speaker on hearing loss issues. She is the founder of Living with Hearing Loss, a popular blog and online community for people with hearing loss, and an executive producer of "We Hear You," an award-winning documentary about the hearing loss experience. Her book, "Hear & Beyond: Live Skillfully with Hearing Loss," (co-authored with Gael Hannan) is the ultimate survival guide to living well with hearing loss. Shari has an adult-onset genetic hearing loss and hopes that by sharing her story, she will help others to live more peacefully with their own hearing issues.
      Shari Eberts says:

      Thank you for sharing your favorites (and least favorites).

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