Hearing
Aids
My
great aunt wore hearing aids. Back in those days, hearing aids were considered
a new-fangled invention. Two ear plugs connected by wire to a small box
containing a battery for amplification. She was small in stature and portly and
often hid her hearing aid box in her bosom. She died sitting on the toilet with
her hearing aids on.
In
old age my father had a severe hearing loss. He hated hearing aids. Even after
my sister, who worked for a reputable hearing aid company, gave him a custom fit
set of hearing aids, he refused to wear them because they irritated his ears.
My mother lost her voice more than once yelling at my father to answer the
phone. He went to the grave not wearing his hearing aids.
When
Judy mentioned I was saying “what did you say?” a lot, I went for a hearing
test, purposing not to follow my father’s example. When told that I had hearing
loss I chose to embrace technology, so I could hear better. I was amazed how
these hearing instruments worked. Now I could hear the screaming of my
grandchildren in stereo. Yes, at first, they were an irritant. Now they are as
much a part of me as my glasses. Twice I forgot to take them out when taking a
shower; a near disaster.
Recently
I had an updated hearing test. Although my hearing had not deteriorated in six
years, my hearing aids were wearing out. The new technology is unbelievable.
They are smaller and computerized. I can control volume and direction from an
app on my I Phone via Bluetooth as well as answer my mobile phone or listen to
music. Not sure what else I can do with them, but they certainly have enhanced
my hearing.
I
am reminded of the words of Scripture: “Let him, who has an ear, hear….” That I
can certainly do.
Ah, I hear you, coming thru loud and clear. Good post Dan. My father also had hearing aids but they seldom did him or us much good because he was too Scotch to buy batteries.
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