For several years I've denied a problem I knew was creeping up on me.
My wife would try to discuss it with me but it wasn't something I wanted to accept. I knew it could happen as I got older, but it still wasn't easy for me to acknowledge. Even though I wasn't having sleepless nights, I wasn't being the man I wanted to be by not dealing with it head-on. Could I be so foolish in my old age? Could I be so vain? So selfish?
After making excuses for several months, I decided to get an examination and find out if it was a problem I needed to address. And I did it for my wife, to satisfy her concerns about my health. I certainly didn't want to disappoint her and leave her with doubts about our future. I didn't want us to go to bed every night with it hanging over our heads.
I took the required tests and the results came back positive. Yes, I was disappointed, but there was no more denying my problem. It was something I had to take care of or risk the chance of missing the clarion call for corrective action in the future.
My problem? Sad but true, I've experienced permanent hearing loss in my life. And I now wearing hearing aids. I have trouble distinguishing or hearing high-pitched sounds. I'm okay with low and mid-range frequencies so two out of three isn't too bad.
According to the National Institute on Aging, one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss. It's half of those who are 75 or older (my Dad got hearing aids in his 80s). And the NIH notes, "...some people may not want to admit they have trouble hearing."
That was me before I heeded the call to do something about it.
No doubt, my hearing problem developed through the years, from attending high-octane rock concerts, work-related assignments in the news media, failing to protect my ears when mowing the lawn and performing other noisy jobs, and listening to music too loud on headphones and earphones. I've had tinnitus, that annoying ringing in the ears, for 40 years but over time I've learned to ignore it for the most part.
So I'm letting you know, as advised from the NIH, that I have a hearing problem. But you shouldn't have to speak louder unless, of course, you don't want me to hear what you're saying. Now you wouldn't want to do that, would you?
I wear mini behind-the-ear hearing aids. They're lightweight and fit so nicely that it's difficult to see them. That's a vanity thing for some people—including me to a certain extent—but being able to hear overrides those concerns, especially being able to listen to the sweet sounds from my four adorable granddaughters and even the welcomed barks from my four-legged friends.
And, at my age, vanity isn't a major concern. Preserving what I have, healthwise, is a priority. Baby boomers understand. You can use it and still lose it. In addition to hearing, that includes sight, smell, touch, mobility, and other things we take for granted in our lives.
My wife is satisfied I have taken the proper steps to protect my hearing. My problem now is finding an excuse when I want to tune her out!
Until the next time . . .
My wife would try to discuss it with me but it wasn't something I wanted to accept. I knew it could happen as I got older, but it still wasn't easy for me to acknowledge. Even though I wasn't having sleepless nights, I wasn't being the man I wanted to be by not dealing with it head-on. Could I be so foolish in my old age? Could I be so vain? So selfish?
After making excuses for several months, I decided to get an examination and find out if it was a problem I needed to address. And I did it for my wife, to satisfy her concerns about my health. I certainly didn't want to disappoint her and leave her with doubts about our future. I didn't want us to go to bed every night with it hanging over our heads.
I took the required tests and the results came back positive. Yes, I was disappointed, but there was no more denying my problem. It was something I had to take care of or risk the chance of missing the clarion call for corrective action in the future.
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| Can you see my hearing aids? |
According to the National Institute on Aging, one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss. It's half of those who are 75 or older (my Dad got hearing aids in his 80s). And the NIH notes, "...some people may not want to admit they have trouble hearing."
That was me before I heeded the call to do something about it.
No doubt, my hearing problem developed through the years, from attending high-octane rock concerts, work-related assignments in the news media, failing to protect my ears when mowing the lawn and performing other noisy jobs, and listening to music too loud on headphones and earphones. I've had tinnitus, that annoying ringing in the ears, for 40 years but over time I've learned to ignore it for the most part.
So I'm letting you know, as advised from the NIH, that I have a hearing problem. But you shouldn't have to speak louder unless, of course, you don't want me to hear what you're saying. Now you wouldn't want to do that, would you?
 |
| Fits snugly behind my ears |
And, at my age, vanity isn't a major concern. Preserving what I have, healthwise, is a priority. Baby boomers understand. You can use it and still lose it. In addition to hearing, that includes sight, smell, touch, mobility, and other things we take for granted in our lives.
My wife is satisfied I have taken the proper steps to protect my hearing. My problem now is finding an excuse when I want to tune her out!
Until the next time . . .
I got a hearing aid last fall. I'm glad I did. It isn't perfect, but it's better than nothing.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it was an improvement in hearing. I can hear a difference, and others tell me that once I get used to them, it'll get better.
ReplyDelete