I do remember simpler days when the images of fictional animals were dancing off the pages of the children’s books I accumulated. Reading to my daughters and then my grandchildren about these fantasy images was a wonderful way to bond. I love those memories of bonding. In contrast, I was so happy the day we stopped bonding with our pandemic masks in the spring, putting them away in hopes never to have to wear them again. And yet, here we are, so long into the pandemic, and once again, bonding with our masks. For those of us who wear glasses and hearing aids, the masks add another layer of consideration, and I want to share that with you.
Each morning, upon inserting my hearing aids, I listen for the lovely, electronically created voice that reinforces for me that I have them in correct position. Ms. Electronically Created Voice says “Right” or “Left,” and I know they are inserted properly. Mine, by Widex, go around my ear and into the canal. However, each time I take off my mask, particularly while wearing my glasses, I check to be certain that my aids are still in their proper position. Once I know that, I feel quite certain the earpieces will stay in my ear canals, providing comfort that I won’t lose them. But the mask does present a bit of a challenge to my brain.
My brain is not as facile as it once was! Doing a few things at once, such as removing my mask, checking to be sure my aids are still in their place, and did not come out with the mask, checking to be sure my glasses are where they need to be, well, it is not without taking a deep breath. Quite frankly, I am waiting for the moment we no longer must wear our masks, can return to just dealing with the other challenges in our lives. Necessity was the mother of invention, and our masks, love them or not, have saved countless from the most virulent infection to plague us in over a hundred years. But we will all celebrate knowing the pandemic is in our rear-view mirror.
Since I have your attention, however, I do want to gently push those considering (recognizing they NEED) hearing aids but have put them on the back burner during the pandemic. Blessings to the creator of such an amazing, tiny, barely seen (even with a pixie haircut) yet powerful gift to those of us who wear them. I am grateful beyond words for the ability to not only better hear, but better follow conversations because I am not straining to pick up the ending of words I was missing. It is a game changer in the best way.
Once again, Baby Boomers are demanding more and better, and hearing aids, like so many other assists are evolving. Who knows what is coming next? I, for one, am looking forward to the person who will design an “all-in-one mask, hearing aid, glasses contraption.” It is only a matter of time. But fingers crossed we can give up our masks long before that happens!
As always you hit the nail on the head!
But you forgot to mention the challenge of “listening” to the people wearing masks. Even normal hearing people struggle with the muffled and garbled sound! And those that rely on lip-reading to pick up on cues can no longer see the lips behind the masks. Hoping we can give up on the masks sooner rather than later!
You always put a smile on my face with your truthful humor. We all know that aging is not for sissies. Like every type of “aid”, in many ways they also improve the relationships with those around us.
All of your blogs are informative and upbeat. I got a chuckle out of Lions…
As is the case with most of what you share through the written word, this too is therapeutic. You present serious and often unpleasant realities in a manner that blends light hearted and amusing optimism that serve to gentle the facts.
I love to read what you have, but nothing matches being with you face to face. ???