The Gospel of Hearing Aids
I’m sitting in my car at a stoplight. The peaceful wait for the green light is disrupted by a low bass rumble. The rumble increases exponentially as a low-riding pimpmobile with glittering, spinning rims bounces closer and closer. BOOM! BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM! This monstrosity on wheels rolls to a stop beside me, all windows down. The driver bobs his head in slow motion, keeping time with the soul-pounding beat of rap.
I seethe for a few seconds as the heavy bass vibrates every bone in my body. The bobbing epitome of coolness is oblivious to the disgusted looks aimed his way. I open my door and walk over to him. He looks at me and smiles, certain I share his discriminating taste in music.
Leaning forward, I shout, “I USED TO LISTEN TO LOUD MUSIC!” as I pull my hearing aids off and shove them under his nose. Wide-eyed shock replaces his smile. “TAKE A LOOK AT THESE! YOU’LL BE WEARING THEM IN A FEW YEARS, TOO!”
The spell of coolness broken, he lowers the volume and I walk back to my car. I smile, satisfied I’ve done my Good Deed for the Day.
Funny story, important message Said:
on August 5, 2007 at 8:28 pm
[...] The Gospel of Hearing Aids at http://beethovensears.com/ [...]
Susan Said:
on August 6, 2007 at 12:50 am
Wow I really thought you were talking about me. I am a 42 year old HOH mom with two pre teens and I also do this. To add to it though both my mom and my son have mild to moderate hearing losses and they wont wear their hearing aids, so there is a lot of “What” “Pardon” “Huh” happening at my house. No wonder I am so exhausted at the end of the day. I have to do the same thing at work. Some of my co workers call me or talk to me from the other room, and I have drop what ever I am doing to go into the other room and get them to repeat what they have said, respond and then go back and do what I was doing
But there are benefits as well if someone is really really boring and goes on and on, you can just like tune them down or totally out and just nod your head once in a while, or for those times when other cars have loud loud obnosious music, just tune them down.
Loved your blog so much. Thanks for making it.
Hoh Said:
on August 6, 2007 at 1:08 am
Susan -
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your story. I can’t imagine how tough it must be with three HOH people in the house, and two refusing to wear hearing aids.
Those coworkers, though, that’s another story. Shame on them! If they want to speak to you, they should come to you. That’s common courtesy.
Glad you like my blog. Please stop by again soon!
Cindy
sue Said:
on August 6, 2007 at 4:11 am
hi just wanted to say how cool it is to find a hoh blog i am 41 years old i have been hoh all my life was diagnosed at age 7,i have 95% hearing loss both ears so i am profoundly HOH my life partner goes you are deaf i tell her not according to the powers that be. i wear two beh and lip read,i speak normaly more or less with aids in but when i have them out my partner she tells me i sound like the woman form children of a lesser god.
anyway i am grateful you are out there
sue
Hoh Said:
on August 6, 2007 at 5:13 am
Hi Sue,
Thanks for checking out my blog!
My hearing loss was diagnosed late, too - I was 11 years old before my parents found out I couldn’t hear well. Nowadays most hospitals are screening babies for hearing loss on the first and second day of life.
Please visit again soon!
Cindy