But my condition remains. Deposits continue to build up inside my ear, causing me to slowly lose my hearing. I'm now on middle ground where my hearing is not bad enough to warrant another surgery but it's not good enough to hear. Basically robo-ear SUCKS.... so enter... the hearing aid.
Oh no, this is not your grandma's hearing aid. Can you see it?
It is called an Open Ear hearing aid. A tiny piece goes in my ear canal but leaves most of the ear open. The receiver is behind my ear in my mass of crazy hair, and it comes in a large variety of colors (purple anyone?). It is computer programmed specifically for my hearing loss. It is blue tooth enabled... you can call my cell phone and it will transmit directly to my hearing aid.
This weekend was a massive adjustment period for me. Friday was almost overwhelming with all the things I could hear that I couldn't hear before, aka Super Cranky Laura. I can now hear all those high frequency sounds I haven't heard for five years and I can hear people speaking more clearly. It is taking some time for my brain to learn to selectively hear the things I want to hear rather than hear everything. It is also a huge adjustment to hear my own voice in different situations as sometimes I sound like I'm talking through a microphone.
After just a few days, I am 100% certain I will be buying one (in 2011 when I can take advantage of flexspend). However now that I can hear everything, I do have a few observations about my world:
- Alex farts SO MUCH MORE than I ever knew.
- I should not wear corduroy pants. Ever.
- Jon DOES mumble and it happens a lot. It feels pretty good to call him out on it!
13 comments:
Wow, I cannot believe how tiny it is. Good luck with all the adjustments!
Wow Laura, that is super intense. It is amazing that something so tiny could be so powerful.
Wow, that thing is practically invisible! Amazing. I hope you are getting used to hearing all that stuff that no one really wants to hear. LOL about Alex and the farting.
It is super tiny! And wonderful that you get to 'test drive' it for a while. As always, hysterical observations!
I'm looking for it and can't see it!
My father recently started using a hearing aid. He said the same thing about all the sounds he never knew he was missing. I'm glad you found something that works for you.
Elaborate on the courdory pants! So glad that we have this wonderful technology to have a blue tooth enabled hearing aid (that you can't see)!
I am impressed with the technology. It is just too bad that our health care system, such as it is doesn't make such advancements available to all who could benefit.
The kid thinks burps and toots are THE BEST type of entertainment.
Glad you found something that works for you. Addie's hearing is being tested again on Tuesday and we aren't sure what will happen so all these advances are very encouraging to hear about. I also feel a deeper empathy that you have to deal with any of it. You are very positive about the whole thing.
Can't see it either!
Whoa, well that's a change but I'm sure as you adjust you will be happy to be able to hear most of the time. And unlike the rest of us, you can also turn it off =) Not to make light of it, I know it's an ongoing struggle for you, but I'm glad you're handling it well.
It's that adjustment period why my grandfather who has needed a hearing aid for 20+ years never uses one. I know it sucks but good for you!
Holy cow! I got to be quite an expert on hearing aids, dating a guy with 90% hearing loss, but DUDE that's totally invisible. I had no idea they were out there.
What is it with four-year-olds and gas? Lucas calls Jessie "tooter", but she gets upset with that nickname for some reason.
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