I have been hurtling down this highway for some time now, but yesterday I officially arrived in Geezerville. Late in the morning I took possession of a couple of hearing aids. I have had hearing loss for quite a while which I attributed to an exploding bicycle tire many years ago. But the audiologist thought it was just old age that was to blame.
I have fairly normal hearing in the low frequencies, up to about 1000Hz. Then it falls off sharply and plateaus in the higher frequencies at about 60dB.
In the picture above you can see that the hearing aids are practically invisible, just a tiny wire that runs around the top front of my ear. The main circuitry is hidden behind my ear and the speaker is hidden inside my ear. They thoughtfully ordered a color that more or less matches my hair, grey.
When she first put them in I thought they sounded kind of ringy and tinny, but she said that was normal and that I wouldn’t notice it after a little while. She was right. I also felt like I was in some sort of bubble. That went away too. All those sensations come back when I have had them out for a while, like when I am asleep, but quickly disappear after a minute or two.
When I arrived home I got out of the van and was amazed by the sound of a leaf skittering across the drive way. I can easily hear people talking in the next room, which would have been impossible before. Last night we went to a restaurant which has always been a very difficult place for me to hear. It wasn’t perfect. I was still fairly challenged to hear things, but it was better I’ll have to admit.
I can get a couple of really neat techno-gadgets, but the audiologist suggested I wait a couple of weeks because she thought I may not even need them. One was a lapel mic that links up to my smartphone and turns the hearing aids into a bluetooth receiver. Another is for doing the same thing with the TV. I can control the volume independent of how loud others are listening. The last do-dah is a mic that transmits directly to my earpieces. Presumably it is to be worn by Karen. That device is a non-starter.
I am so thrilled he can hear again. I got all teary when he told me about the sound of a leaf skittering across the driveway.
Pretty cool to find out all the things you have been missing. I think the mic for Karen is the #1 add on to get!!
You’ve got new knees and can hear again…Geezerville isn’t such a bad deal! Congrats.
You can finally hear well enough to realize that Paul was the most creative Beatle; not John, as you used to so foolishly contend. I have some hearing challenges myself, Butch, but I’m still playing music when I can. I am trying to plan a trip back to MN and CR in August. My cousins in MN are having their 50th wedding anniversary. I would like to attend and then come down to CR for a few days. I would hope to see you and Karen. Maybe we can listen to some music together then.
All the best.
Ray
I am so happy for you Butchie. That’s one of the things that hasn’t gone on me!
I am so glad you can hear better. It’s important and you’re worth it. I love you, Butch.