practical

This story is told from the perspective of a 72 year old man who suffers from severe hearing loss. He is very practical and analytical and enjoys playing golf and helping his grandkids with school.

I think with losing my hearing I just became more annoying to my wife. Other than that, people didn’t really know. I just said “beg your pardon” when I couldn’t hear someone properly and they just repeated it. I made the effort to look at them when they are talking to me. My wife should know that and look at me when talking to make it easier for me. I think it is more on her. The other problem is that I never got used to wearing my hearing aid. That’s my fault. 

I imagine this will get more and more degraded. I cannot imagine what it will be like with zero sound. I hope my life ends for reasons other than the sound. Life has to end, so let’s hope my hearing in this one lasts me out, and if it doesn’t, I’ll have to learn the sign language. I hope I’ll be with people who are learned enough to want to help...I would have panicked if I didn’t have my hearing, but now I realized that all the answers are in learning sign language and being able to communicate.

My hearing loss did not come as a surprise. It was more a gradual thing. I refuse to be distressed about it. It is such a natural process that is happening to me. I know I am not the only one. The percentage of people who have hearing aids in the world is probably bigger than the population of the United States, so I am not alone in this field. I don’t want to feel sorry for myself. There is no need.