It has been brought to my attention that I am losing my hearing. For quite some time now, I have been hearing mostly loud ringing in both ears…like right now as I sit in this quiet room. It’s getting to the point where all I hear is a constant high pitch ring.
I decided that enough was enough and I made an appointment with a local ENT. The staff was great and the first person that saw me was, I guess, an audiologist. She talked to me for a bit, including the fact that she was going to a concert that evening of NKOTB with others. I shared that I had been to one of their concerts in the past. We had a bonding moment. Anyway, she put me in a small, sound proof room and hooked me up to a machine with controllers in each hand. I felt as though I was about to be play in some Tron-like game. It was cool but weird at the same time.
After some beeps and boops, she opened the door and said, “I know exactly why your ears have been ringing. You’re losing your hearing!”
Hold on, Becky! That sounded almost ecstatic that you had solved a problem.
I figured at some point in my life, I might have issues with my eyes and possibly my ears. I got glasses the summer of 1995 when I was 17. It helped me pass Pre-Cal in high school. I never thought that I would be losing my hearing at 46. Maybe 60 or later, but not this young. I know, I know! Losing one’s hearing is not tied to their age. I get that. I just wish there was some explanation for why it’s happening. It would make sense if I was a constant concert goer and listened to my music loud. For God sakes, I listen to podcasts on my way to and from work. When I do listen to music, it’s almost on the level of Muzak and not loud enough to overpower Bubba’s music in the car beside me at the stop light.
Oh well. I’ll figure out which hearing aids I’m getting on Monday when I go back for a fitting.
Photo by Mark Paton on Unsplash