TUNE IN OR TUNE OUT?

The thing about hearing loss is that no one can see it. Most people are so impatient; they just assume that the person with hearing loss is being rude, or slow-witted.

Truth be told, the hearing device received on Wednesday past is not as massive as the one pictured above, but it feels like to this old geezer.  Although small, the device feels massive in me ear and feel as if all can now see how horrid hearing is.

When presented the device, it came in a bag with 'Life is on' printed on, as if  life would begin for the old geezer.  Has given me pause it has.

To be true, it has been most interesting to find out just how much one was missing due to severe hearing loss.  The old geezer can now hear things not heard for many a day.  Mind, one wonders if what was missed was so important.

Folks want to know how the new device is working, if the old geezer is OK.  How very kind folks are.

The cause of my hearing loss is still on-going.  Treatment during the last ten days have got things under control but the condition is still going to require more treatment.  Like the doctor said who fitted the device; 'This device is not going to restore perfect hearing, just improve what there is'.

Rumour has it, that the first 30 days with the device will be the most trying.  In time, one will have learned to adjust settings and learned to live with the new noises coming at.  I am still trying to get the programme in the device to tune out some of the sounds now filling me ear.  Still trying to learn how to use the telephone with comfort.  I have learned how to hear music and telly with some degree of comfort.

The loss of hearing was over time, many of the sounds not heard were so gradual, they were not missed at first.  In one day,  cacophonous  sounds have filled me ear and it has been too much to deal with.  One almost wished that hearing remained lost.  Almost...

It is lovely to hear more of what is said.  To be able to enjoy music without destroying the peace and quiet of all round.  Mind, life had become very visual for the old geezer and the loss of sound was made up for by what one picked up on faces watched or reactions caught.  One could 'feel' someone
coming upon from behind.

It took some doing to get this old geezer fitted for a device.  Resigned I was to not hearing.  Recent events have caused loss of hearing to speed up and without the device in, one clearly realizes just how profound the loss of hearing is becoming.  I am not completely sold on the new device.  See it more as a chore than a blessing.  There have been times in recent days, all one wanted to do is place the bloody thing in a box and forget about.

I am wearing the device a few hours a day.  I find that when there is no one round and one is not listening to music or watching a film, it works best to take the device out, turn off and enjoy the absence of many of the new found sounds.

Sorry, dear reader, the old geezer is a bit off game.  Just another challenge to face up to...

 



BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR...

The above snap is NOT the new hearing device received today.

The device is rather small, fits behind the ear and is hardly noticeable to most folks.  Right snug it fits and allows the ear to pick up sounds long forgot.

Were the device to be any more brilliant, E.T. could contact the old geezer...

One had  forgot how loud a truck sounded on the road, or how very annoying a blaring vehicle radio can be.  Then there is the sound of running water, the rustle of paper and the creaking floor boards.  This old geezer had got used to not hearing many of everyday sounds and to be true, it now seems it was a blessing of sorts.

Truth be told, the hearing device makes hearing normal conversation so easy.  Mind, it is but the one ear but it seems to have added much quality to overall hearing.

I tested the device with music and it is brilliant, as is the telly.  It seems that telephone has to be sorted out.  A call received could not be heard, but then the telephone might have been in wrong place on head.  Am told that mobiles will still be a chore.

It is a good thing that running water can be heard, as one must remember to remove the device before showering.  Water is the enemy of the device.

There is no doubt that the device will be used.  Rather think it will be turned off parts of the day and most definitely will not be worn to bed.   For the most part the device delivers more than one would have thought possible.  On the other hand, hearing everything is not all it is made out to be.  Truth be told, am honest enough to fess up to liking the 'quiet' and more than like will be selective in the use of the device.

Do you know, that is the root of the whole trouble - has been one of the roots at any rate - is people hearing things and then imagining some more and magnifying it and multiplying it.  Spare this old geezer from that folly.

Now I will have to pretend to listen to folks I would rather not hear...