Ruth, your story is inspirational as well as fun to read. I think I'm gonna get my hearing tested. You can probably hear my children cheering in the background (a bit muffled for me). Thank you! Lin
C’est moi. I have been having fun with this. Last summer, I transcribed Dad’s script and am preparing a package of the original documents and photos for donation to the signals group now located outside of Ottawa. Then I will reframe the material by adding an introductory narrative and photos with marginal notes for family members, notable my five grand children, when they are in their forties.
A lovely, inspirational essay for anyone sitting on the fence about buying hearing aids. But they are expensive for those of us who don't have private insurance. Cost can be more of a barrier than a reluctance to accept the hearing loss.
I first noticed hearing loss around age 50 in a very challenging noise environment, a hospital operating room. I’m now on instruments generation 3, or is it 4, at age 63+. They get ridden hard…today I escaped in the middle of Easter Sunday service because I couldn’t make out a single thing said or sung; too soft, too loud, too high, too low, too…later I took a walk outside with the dog and enjoyed blissful silence with an occasional sound sneaking in…all I can say is, it’s hell to get old AND deaf at the same time!
Ruth, my mum, who died several years ago was partially blind (MD), partially deaf (age) and despite all the aids available to give her life dimension and quality (hearing, Kindle, safety alarm etc), she steadfastly refused anything. I'm not sure why. Vanity? Irascibility? Anyway, it made me think that I will take any and everything to keep me vital, mobile and attached to the world in which I live.
Thus far, I've used a walker a lot for various moments of mobility difficulty, I've had cataracts done, happy to have hearing aids when I need them, I wear glasses (fashion bonus!), and I'm about to have major abdominal surgery. If that's what it takes for me to continue sparking on all cylinders, that's okay.
Dang. You gently captured my recent experience with hearing aids with all of the stages along the way. Niagara Falls from the tap, Yes; the renewed sound of birds, another yes; and letting go of one state to again another, enhanced reality. My take is that I enhanced my hearing with the aids but became deaf again because I use the earphones to listen to music. I hope you will find other avenues to share this story because it reassures others making this decision.
You caught me on the brink of this new development in my aging. I'm apprehensive but looking forward to regaining some sense of what the world sounds like. Thank you.
Such an important story, appropriate for this target audience of course, and told in a helpful, digestible way. Your use of humour is delightful - "a couple of herons!" - a touching wakeup call. Thank you, Ruth, for opening my ears to the importance of paying attention - now. And being a model of aging gracefully by embracing the help that is available to us and spreading the message!
I fully understand. Great post
Ruth, your story is inspirational as well as fun to read. I think I'm gonna get my hearing tested. You can probably hear my children cheering in the background (a bit muffled for me). Thank you! Lin
I loved it!
C’est moi. I have been having fun with this. Last summer, I transcribed Dad’s script and am preparing a package of the original documents and photos for donation to the signals group now located outside of Ottawa. Then I will reframe the material by adding an introductory narrative and photos with marginal notes for family members, notable my five grand children, when they are in their forties.
A lovely, inspirational essay for anyone sitting on the fence about buying hearing aids. But they are expensive for those of us who don't have private insurance. Cost can be more of a barrier than a reluctance to accept the hearing loss.
I first noticed hearing loss around age 50 in a very challenging noise environment, a hospital operating room. I’m now on instruments generation 3, or is it 4, at age 63+. They get ridden hard…today I escaped in the middle of Easter Sunday service because I couldn’t make out a single thing said or sung; too soft, too loud, too high, too low, too…later I took a walk outside with the dog and enjoyed blissful silence with an occasional sound sneaking in…all I can say is, it’s hell to get old AND deaf at the same time!
Ruth, my mum, who died several years ago was partially blind (MD), partially deaf (age) and despite all the aids available to give her life dimension and quality (hearing, Kindle, safety alarm etc), she steadfastly refused anything. I'm not sure why. Vanity? Irascibility? Anyway, it made me think that I will take any and everything to keep me vital, mobile and attached to the world in which I live.
Thus far, I've used a walker a lot for various moments of mobility difficulty, I've had cataracts done, happy to have hearing aids when I need them, I wear glasses (fashion bonus!), and I'm about to have major abdominal surgery. If that's what it takes for me to continue sparking on all cylinders, that's okay.
Good on you for wearing the aids!
Your ears are aging but your words have a beautiful patina to them that captures the heart and soul of life.
Brava. For embracing the hearing sides and then telling the world.
Excellent Ruth- Very well told. So many people are- Glasses -OK Hearing Aids -no Yet glasses are far more visible
Dang. You gently captured my recent experience with hearing aids with all of the stages along the way. Niagara Falls from the tap, Yes; the renewed sound of birds, another yes; and letting go of one state to again another, enhanced reality. My take is that I enhanced my hearing with the aids but became deaf again because I use the earphones to listen to music. I hope you will find other avenues to share this story because it reassures others making this decision.
You caught me on the brink of this new development in my aging. I'm apprehensive but looking forward to regaining some sense of what the world sounds like. Thank you.
Such an important story, appropriate for this target audience of course, and told in a helpful, digestible way. Your use of humour is delightful - "a couple of herons!" - a touching wakeup call. Thank you, Ruth, for opening my ears to the importance of paying attention - now. And being a model of aging gracefully by embracing the help that is available to us and spreading the message!
Here's to the kitchen tap forever sounding like Niagara. A wonderful piece, thank you!
"Maybe I’m like other people after all." & "I know [the birds] are singing for me." You convey such deep emotion with these simple phrases! Thank you.
Ruthie I knew it was your writing the moment I started reading this piece. Honest, brilliant & with gentle humour!🥰