Wear Your Mask and Speak Up!

I was at a hospital for an annual checkup and the receptionist appeared to be perturbed with me. I had a bit of trouble understanding what she was saying.

She was wearing a face mask and I was standing the recommended six feet from her. I was wearing a mask as well. I also wear something else: hearing aids.

According to the Center for Hearing and Communication, about 48 million Americans suffer from hearing loss. And about a third of people over 65 (of which I belong) have hearing loss. 

I often rely on reading a person's mouth when they are talking so I don't misunderstand what they're saying. That is negated when someone is wearing a mask. I can't read their lips. 

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying people shouldn't wear the mouth-and-nose covering. I'm a strong advocate of masks and have written about it in the past. I get perturbed when I see people walking around bare-faced in enclosed public places, retail stores, or wherever.

All I'm suggesting is that people speak up when addressing each other. Sometimes the voice behind the mask comes out garbled or mumbled. Most of the time, I'll ask the person to repeat what they've said. Other times, I'll let it pass if it's just mindless chatter. 

I would imagine that even those without hearing problems might have difficulty picking up what others are saying when one is soft-spoken or mumbles a lot. Some folks are self-conscious about wearing hearing aids (I'm not) or try to hide their hearing problems, so please that into consideration as well when talking to others. Admittedly, I sometimes rely on my wife to be my second set of ears.

While I miss the facial expressions, especially the smiles, being covered by masks, it's also the clear sounds that are being muffled.

So speak up and let yourself be heard loud and clear. 

Until the next time . . .

 

I Hear You . . .

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.

Can you see my hearing aids?

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? 

Fits snugly behind my ears

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 . . .