It's been coming for awhile. And I've resisted it far longer than I should have. 25 years in a paper mill. 10 years duck hunting with my 12 gauge Mossberg pump. Growing up in the 60s and 70s, rock concerts and loud music. It all adds up. It was time.
I have discovered that people, family, friends who would never think to offend someone with a disability find it acceptable to ridicule someone with hearing loss. Perhaps it is because they get fed up repeating themselves. Or become annoyed by my constant interruptions. They tell jokes about what was said and how I interpreted their words. In truth, some of it was funny.
"Glen, you need a hearing test."
"What do you mean? I just had a urine test at my last physical."
"What?" a thousand times.
But for the past week I have not spoken the W word. I researched hearing aids for years and found the best quality at the best price at Costco. Last Friday I picked up a pair of midline Kirkland 9000s and life is different now.
At first I was startled.The sound of the car blinker was deafening as was the toilet flushing. Sounds I hadn't even recognized I was no longer hearing. It will take some getting used to, knowing what situations to turn them up and down. Conversations with groups of people like this writers group, require concentration and lower volume as does doing dishes with chanking pans and dishes.
But it is better.
The hearing aid technician tested me and said "Your left ear seems pretty good, but your right ear has greater hearing loss."
I said "Well that makes sense."
He looked puzzled "How so?"
I explained "Well for the past 12 years my wife and I have been driving around the country and she sits in the passenger seat to my right. She burned out my right ear."
He laughed.
So, in this age of political correctness, with people taking offense to all manner of things, I guess being able to be lighthearted and laugh at our age related disabilities is more healthy. I mean, it really is just another brick in the wall.
I have discovered that people, family, friends who would never think to offend someone with a disability find it acceptable to ridicule someone with hearing loss. Perhaps it is because they get fed up repeating themselves. Or become annoyed by my constant interruptions. They tell jokes about what was said and how I interpreted their words. In truth, some of it was funny.
"Glen, you need a hearing test."
"What do you mean? I just had a urine test at my last physical."
"What?" a thousand times.
But for the past week I have not spoken the W word. I researched hearing aids for years and found the best quality at the best price at Costco. Last Friday I picked up a pair of midline Kirkland 9000s and life is different now.
At first I was startled.The sound of the car blinker was deafening as was the toilet flushing. Sounds I hadn't even recognized I was no longer hearing. It will take some getting used to, knowing what situations to turn them up and down. Conversations with groups of people like this writers group, require concentration and lower volume as does doing dishes with chanking pans and dishes.
But it is better.
The hearing aid technician tested me and said "Your left ear seems pretty good, but your right ear has greater hearing loss."
I said "Well that makes sense."
He looked puzzled "How so?"
I explained "Well for the past 12 years my wife and I have been driving around the country and she sits in the passenger seat to my right. She burned out my right ear."
He laughed.
So, in this age of political correctness, with people taking offense to all manner of things, I guess being able to be lighthearted and laugh at our age related disabilities is more healthy. I mean, it really is just another brick in the wall.
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