The World is Loud

I've had to face the reality that I am losing my hearing. I knew it was coming. I have the same genetic hearing loss as my mother and I have known for years that I would lose mine. Recently, I went to the same audiologist as Mom, who recommended that I try a hearing aid. She let me borrow one for two weeks to see if I could adjust to wearing an aid. The past two weeks have taught me some things.

First, I have learned that the world is loud. Between people talking on their cell phones and radios constantly playing, everywhere is louder. My husband and I went to a ball game. Between the announcer, the constant music, the gentleman and his son behind us and the lady on her cell phone behind them, I was ready to wear ear muffs.

Second, I have learned that all this noise gets in the way of people hearing others. There is no better example than the town hall meetings regarding health care shown on the television. There is a lot of noise and not a lot of listening going on. I think people have gotten so used to the noise of their lives which make it hard to hear that, when they do have to listen, they forget how to.

I have to decide today if I want to continue wearing a hearing aid. I think I will because I'm interested in what others have to say and would like to hear them. I wish everyone felt that way.