HEAR, HEAR!

Now that more venues are accessible and available, I reached out for a checkup with my Audiologist, Gary. A little over 18 months ago, Gary set me up with Widex hearing aids for my auditory acuity issue (okay, age-related presbycusis, or hearing loss.) In my case, I was losing the ends of words, and working so hard to not do so. I was so busy concentrating on what I was afraid I would lose, that I lost more, I imagine. When I was there last, my acuity loss was minor, yet enough that Gary felt I would benefit from the amplification for the speech sounds. The first time I sat at my computer wearing my aids, I was shocked to hear that the keys make a sound when struck…who knew? All this time, I never heard the sounds they made, or if I had heard the sound, it was obviously years ago.

I became a poster girl for this new toy which gave me so much more than I anticipated. And then, Covid! I stopped wearing my aids in the house, since it was only Bruce and me here. I turned the television volume to my needs and went along on my merry way. And then I remembered that Gary told me to wear them every day, in order to protect what I had and not lose more.

So, I returned to wearing my aids in the house every day, and since my involvement with others was so limited, I did just fine. However, over the past few months, being out and about, I found myself struggling, once again. Finally, having my test this week, Gary acknowledged that I have, in fact had greater loss in the speech sounds, and he adjusted my aids accordingly. I am so much happier, and not struggling as I was these past few months. My close friend, Lynn, has been my guide, and we were both noticing the need for better amplification. After all, had it not been the Covid era, we probably would have had our ears checked a few times.

I am encouraging all in my age group to check in with your hearing! Unfortunately, there is such a stigma with aids. Those of us who acknowledge our vision loss are more than willing to wear glasses and contacts yet disavow the necessity for even having an audiological evaluation. I encourage you to do so if you have any awareness of a loss or are of “that” age. Correction is right around the corner. 

Many have mentioned their fear of losing aids while wearing masks, and it is a consideration, for sure. Between sunglasses, earring, masks, and aids, there is a party going on behind my ears, but all of that activity just reminds me that better days are coming. I check my aids to be sure they are in my ears, and although they have popped out once or twice when I take off my mask, all is well, and I am happy to say that it is worth the effort to be sure. Hearing better is a gift I give myself every day, and in actuality, I think it is a gift I give others, so they do not have to continue to repeat themselves to that age old question, “What?”