Are You Missing Out on Everyday Sounds?

They say each day is a gift—and that gift includes a medley of sounds that stitch your day together, from birds chirping as you sip your morning coffee on the patio, to the serene sound of spring rain pattering on your umbrella. In honor of National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, it’s the perfect time to reflect on just how vital these everyday sounds are. But how does hearing loss affect our ability to hear these sounds? And which sounds do those with hearing loss commonly miss? Read on to find out.

If you find that you’re missing more than a few of the sounds listed below on a regular basis, it may be time to get your hearing checked by a hearing care professional. 

Commonly missed sounds for those with hearing loss: 

Animals and pets:

• Cats purring
• Dogs barking or whining
• Collar tags jingling
• Paws pattering on hardwood

Nature sounds:

• Crackling of pine needles as you walk through the woods
• Leaves rustling in the wind
• Birds chirping outside your window
• Ocean waves crashing against the shore
• Rainfall, or raindrops pattering on your umbrella
• Babbling streams as the water cascades down rocks

Music:

• The haunting, yet beautiful sound of a violin
• The elegant, high-pitched whistle of a flute
• Subtle nuances, like the ding of a triangle or cymbal in the percussion

Women and children:

• Your sister, wife or female friend talking
• Children sharing a fun story
• Grandkids whispering a joke in your ear