Had been a bit concerned about not hearing an Ovenbird on the property here in Washington, CT. Out of the house to walk to the garage ( a hundred yards from the house) this AM when I heard "Teach, teach, teach...". Nice to hear an Ovenbird. Lots of wood warblers I can no longer hear. David W BabingtonWashington, CT

Dave and others on CTBirds who may have hearing loss - noting Dave’s comment on the list serve about not being able to hear warblers, I feel compelled to share my experience with high frequency hearing loss. For ten or more years I’ve been using a device called SongFinder which cuts the frequency of birds singing over about 5000 Hz in half which brings their songs into a register that I can hear. This device is no longer available (you might find one on eBay or the like). But the guy who created that device has recently released a free iPhone app that does the same thing. You need to get some mic and earphone gear which is well explained on his website: https://hearbirdsagain.org/ I’ve just ordered the kit from micbooster since I’m worried that my SongFinder device will go belly up and I’ll be back to where I was before purchasing it: thinking that there were virtually no warblers migrating through SE CT since I could only find them visually - and that’s tough once the leaves start unfurling. And you can use the app on an iPhone without the headgear just by turning it on and holding it up to your ear like you were talking on the phone. You’ll get no directional sense but you’ll know if some bird is singing close by. And finally, the transition to hear and identify the birds singing at say 3000 Hz vs 6000 was pretty seamless. It’s the cadence and changes of pitch that clue you in, not the absolute frequency (although I’m sure those who can hear those high frequencies enjoy sorting out warbler songs even more so!). Cheers, Larry Lawrence A. Reiter 32 West Mystic Ave. Mystic, CT. 06355 > On May 23, 2023, at 11:45 AM, John D Babington via CTBirds <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> wrote: > > Had been a bit concerned about not hearing an Ovenbird on the property here in Washington, CT. Out of the house to walk to the garage ( a hundred yards from the house) this AM when I heard "Teach, teach, teach...". Nice to hear an Ovenbird. Lots of wood warblers I can no longer hear. > > David W BabingtonWashington, CT > > CTBirds, a service of Connecticut Ornithological Association - Bringing birders together statewide. Please support COA: https://www.ctbirding.org/join-us/ > CTBirds is for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For list rules and subscription information visit: https://www.ctbirding.org/birds-birding/ct-birds-email-list/

I think I may have written about this in a previous post. I also have high frequency hearing loss, and it was also asymmetric. I almost had to give up running my Breeding Bird Survey route because of it. Then I got high quality hearing aids properly fit by an audiologist. Problem solved. Yeah, they cost several thousand dollars, but it also improved other aspects of my life, too. I also had the audiologist program a “bird” program which boosts the sounds above 4000 Hz. My latest aids also have an app which allows me to boost the treble even more. It really makes the bird songs stand out. Joe Zygala South Salem, NY P.S., I have had to give up my BBS route due to other reasons. The route is in northern Westchester county, and almost runs into Ridgefield, CT. It starts in Somers, NY, and winds its way through parts of North Salem, Lewisboro/South Salem and Pound Ridge. If anyone in Fairfield county is interested in picking it up, reply to me and I will tell you more and give you the contact information to request taking up the route. Sent from one of my iDevices > On May 23, 2023, at 1:19 PM, Lawrence Reiter via CTBirds <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> wrote: > > Dave and others on CTBirds who may have hearing loss - noting Dave’s comment on the list serve about not being able to hear warblers, I feel compelled to share my experience with high frequency hearing loss. For ten or more years I’ve been using a device called SongFinder which cuts the frequency of birds singing over about 5000 Hz in half which brings their songs into a register that I can hear. This device is no longer available (you might find one on eBay or the like). But the guy who created that device has recently released a free iPhone app that does the same thing. You need to get some mic and earphone gear which is well explained on his website: https://hearbirdsagain.org/ > > I’ve just ordered the kit from micbooster since I’m worried that my SongFinder device will go belly up and I’ll be back to where I was before purchasing it: thinking that there were virtually no warblers migrating through SE CT since I could only find them visually - and that’s tough once the leaves start unfurling. > > And you can use the app on an iPhone without the headgear just by turning it on and holding it up to your ear like you were talking on the phone. You’ll get no directional sense but you’ll know if some bird is singing close by. And finally, the transition to hear and identify the birds singing at say 3000 Hz vs 6000 was pretty seamless. It’s the cadence and changes of pitch that clue you in, not the absolute frequency (although I’m sure those who can hear those high frequencies enjoy sorting out warbler songs even more so!). > > Cheers, Larry > > Lawrence A. Reiter > 32 West Mystic Ave. > Mystic, CT. 06355 > > >> On May 23, 2023, at 11:45 AM, John D Babington via CTBirds <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> wrote: >> >> Had been a bit concerned about not hearing an Ovenbird on the property here in Washington, CT. Out of the house to walk to the garage ( a hundred yards from the house) this AM when I heard "Teach, teach, teach...". Nice to hear an Ovenbird. Lots of wood warblers I can no longer hear. >> >> David W BabingtonWashington, CT >> >> CTBirds, a service of Connecticut Ornithological Association - Bringing birders together statewide. Please support COA: https://www.ctbirding.org/join-us/ >> CTBirds is for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For list rules and subscription information visit: https://www.ctbirding.org/birds-birding/ct-birds-email-list/ > > CTBirds, a service of Connecticut Ornithological Association - Bringing birders together statewide. Please support COA: https://www.ctbirding.org/join-us/ > CTBirds is for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For list rules and subscription information visit: https://www.ctbirding.org/birds-birding/ct-birds-email-list/

I began to have hearing loss in my 40s, and when I turned 60, most warblers except those around yellow and yellow throat frequency were gone. I too used the Songfinder for a number of years, and it brought back all the birds again. Last February I went to an audiologist and she sold me fairly expensive hearing aids for conversation, etc. I then had her create an additional setting for birds by playing a waxwing at low volume on my phone and having her tweak the setting until I could easily hear it. I’ve been out since then and can hear virtually every warbler including Blackpolls! Definitely changed my life. > On May 23, 2023, at 1:19 PM, Lawrence Reiter via CTBirds <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> wrote: > > Dave and others on CTBirds who may have hearing loss - noting Dave’s comment on the list serve about not being able to hear warblers, I feel compelled to share my experience with high frequency hearing loss. For ten or more years I’ve been using a device called SongFinder which cuts the frequency of birds singing over about 5000 Hz in half which brings their songs into a register that I can hear. This device is no longer available (you might find one on eBay or the like). But the guy who created that device has recently released a free iPhone app that does the same thing. You need to get some mic and earphone gear which is well explained on his website: https://hearbirdsagain.org/ > > I’ve just ordered the kit from micbooster since I’m worried that my SongFinder device will go belly up and I’ll be back to where I was before purchasing it: thinking that there were virtually no warblers migrating through SE CT since I could only find them visually - and that’s tough once the leaves start unfurling. > > And you can use the app on an iPhone without the headgear just by turning it on and holding it up to your ear like you were talking on the phone. You’ll get no directional sense but you’ll know if some bird is singing close by. And finally, the transition to hear and identify the birds singing at say 3000 Hz vs 6000 was pretty seamless. It’s the cadence and changes of pitch that clue you in, not the absolute frequency (although I’m sure those who can hear those high frequencies enjoy sorting out warbler songs even more so!). > > Cheers, Larry > > Lawrence A. Reiter > 32 West Mystic Ave. > Mystic, CT. 06355 > > >> On May 23, 2023, at 11:45 AM, John D Babington via CTBirds <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> wrote: >> >> Had been a bit concerned about not hearing an Ovenbird on the property here in Washington, CT. Out of the house to walk to the garage ( a hundred yards from the house) this AM when I heard "Teach, teach, teach...". Nice to hear an Ovenbird. Lots of wood warblers I can no longer hear. >> >> David W BabingtonWashington, CT >> >> CTBirds, a service of Connecticut Ornithological Association - Bringing birders together statewide. Please support COA: https://www.ctbirding.org/join-us/ >> CTBirds is for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For list rules and subscription information visit: https://www.ctbirding.org/birds-birding/ct-birds-email-list/ > > CTBirds, a service of Connecticut Ornithological Association - Bringing birders together statewide. Please support COA: https://www.ctbirding.org/join-us/ > CTBirds is for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For list rules and subscription information visit: https://www.ctbirding.org/birds-birding/ct-birds-email-list/

Thank you for this information. I, too, have genetic high frequency hearing loss. My hearing aids are set to protect my ears from certain high frequencies that I experience at work. While birding I can hear some frequencies well, but my hearing aids actively cancel out high frequencies...so I don't hear waxwings, golden-crowned kinglets, or blackpoll warblers at all. I'm saving this thread and bringing it with me to my next audiology appointment. Brian Lombardo Hartford P.S. I'm lucky my wife has very good ears! Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> ________________________________ From: mdigiorgio via CTBirds <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 2:01:12 PM To: Lawrence Reiter <lar.mystic@snet.net> Cc: John D Babington <davewb07@sbcglobal.net>; CTBirds CTBirds <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> Subject: [CT Birds] Re: Ovenbird - Washington, CT I began to have hearing loss in my 40s, and when I turned 60, most warblers except those around yellow and yellow throat frequency were gone. I too used the Songfinder for a number of years, and it brought back all the birds again. Last February I went to an audiologist and she sold me fairly expensive hearing aids for conversation, etc. I then had her create an additional setting for birds by playing a waxwing at low volume on my phone and having her tweak the setting until I could easily hear it. I’ve been out since then and can hear virtually every warbler including Blackpolls! Definitely changed my life. > On May 23, 2023, at 1:19 PM, Lawrence Reiter via CTBirds <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> wrote: > > Dave and others on CTBirds who may have hearing loss - noting Dave’s comment on the list serve about not being able to hear warblers, I feel compelled to share my experience with high frequency hearing loss. For ten or more years I’ve been using a device called SongFinder which cuts the frequency of birds singing over about 5000 Hz in half which brings their songs into a register that I can hear. This device is no longer available (you might find one on eBay or the like). But the guy who created that device has recently released a free iPhone app that does the same thing. You need to get some mic and earphone gear which is well explained on his website: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhearbirdsagain.org%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ca7cc856fb1e042fd400c08db5bb7d59e%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638204617358160114%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=B6JnOdIGBFgnXZkJX9JUwAgb1MdrJj9CHJwnD5zMK88%3D&reserved=0<https://hearbirdsagain.org/> > > I’ve just ordered the kit from micbooster since I’m worried that my SongFinder device will go belly up and I’ll be back to where I was before purchasing it: thinking that there were virtually no warblers migrating through SE CT since I could only find them visually - and that’s tough once the leaves start unfurling. > > And you can use the app on an iPhone without the headgear just by turning it on and holding it up to your ear like you were talking on the phone. You’ll get no directional sense but you’ll know if some bird is singing close by. And finally, the transition to hear and identify the birds singing at say 3000 Hz vs 6000 was pretty seamless. It’s the cadence and changes of pitch that clue you in, not the absolute frequency (although I’m sure those who can hear those high frequencies enjoy sorting out warbler songs even more so!). > > Cheers, Larry > > Lawrence A. Reiter > 32 West Mystic Ave. > Mystic, CT. 06355 > > >> On May 23, 2023, at 11:45 AM, John D Babington via CTBirds <ctbirds@lists.ctbirding.org> wrote: >> >> Had been a bit concerned about not hearing an Ovenbird on the property here in Washington, CT. Out of the house to walk to the garage ( a hundred yards from the house) this AM when I heard "Teach, teach, teach...". Nice to hear an Ovenbird. Lots of wood warblers I can no longer hear. >> >> David W BabingtonWashington, CT >> >> CTBirds, a service of Connecticut Ornithological Association - Bringing birders together statewide. Please support COA: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ctbirding.org%2Fjoin-us%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ca7cc856fb1e042fd400c08db5bb7d59e%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638204617358160114%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=nGtESFzXqm874hPKEy1npsg7wHkpS4bHWZ82wsDCE14%3D&reserved=0<https://www.ctbirding.org/join-us/> >> CTBirds is for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For list rules and subscription information visit: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ctbirding.org%2Fbirds-birding%2Fct-birds-email-list%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ca7cc856fb1e042fd400c08db5bb7d59e%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638204617358316322%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=uSLGG4s4bFeMk52T1fS39Hz2695ntjdFK5eDHRJkH8Q%3D&reserved=0<https://www.ctbirding.org/birds-birding/ct-birds-email-list/> > > CTBirds, a service of Connecticut Ornithological Association - Bringing birders together statewide. Please support COA: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ctbirding.org%2Fjoin-us%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ca7cc856fb1e042fd400c08db5bb7d59e%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638204617358316322%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Aqt3uxWbVU1%2BsIRkAA%2FIm7p%2ByEhoycAMi1jl7VkzWgE%3D&reserved=0<https://www.ctbirding.org/join-us/> > CTBirds is for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For list rules and subscription information visit: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ctbirding.org%2Fbirds-birding%2Fct-birds-email-list%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ca7cc856fb1e042fd400c08db5bb7d59e%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638204617358316322%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=uSLGG4s4bFeMk52T1fS39Hz2695ntjdFK5eDHRJkH8Q%3D&reserved=0<https://www.ctbirding.org/birds-birding/ct-birds-email-list/> CTBirds, a service of Connecticut Ornithological Association - Bringing birders together statewide. Please support COA: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ctbirding.org%2Fjoin-us%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ca7cc856fb1e042fd400c08db5bb7d59e%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638204617358316322%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Aqt3uxWbVU1%2BsIRkAA%2FIm7p%2ByEhoycAMi1jl7VkzWgE%3D&reserved=0<https://www.ctbirding.org/join-us/> CTBirds is for the discussion of birds and birding in Connecticut. For list rules and subscription information visit: https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ctbirding.org%2Fbirds-birding%2Fct-birds-email-list%2F&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ca7cc856fb1e042fd400c08db5bb7d59e%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638204617358316322%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=uSLGG4s4bFeMk52T1fS39Hz2695ntjdFK5eDHRJkH8Q%3D&reserved=0<https://www.ctbirding.org/birds-birding/ct-birds-email-list/>