Can You Hear Me Now?

2004 Ad  

I think it was Verizon that aired the commercial using the catchphrase "Can you hear me now?" It was very popular back in the day. 

I remember trying to call Tucson, AZ from a spot in southwest AZ called Why. I was standing outside so I could get a better signal. The traffic was bad at the corner and my reception was little to none. I needed to reserve a spot in a RV park for the night. The conversation was centered around "Can you hear me now?" as I moved from one location next to the road. We did finally find a connection and a place for the night but it was not easy. That was back in 2004.

We are back to using that phrase here in my house once again. My husband has just gotten his new hearing devices and it includes a microphone that I wear clipped to my collar. I ask him several times a day if he can hear me. And he can. He can hear what I am saying clearly even when I wish he couldn't. No more mumbling my rants out loud!

Hearing loss is one of the most frustrating and disabling things that can happen to a person. Social interaction is very hard and tasks like buying at the store or talking to the stockbroker can require help from someone else. This device even has a bluetooth connection to his iPhone because talking on the phone is a problem. Before, I was my husband's walking, talking, phone calling microphone.

I think the worst thing of all is the hit to the ego. Most of us don't want to admit that we simply cannot hear what another person is saying. After a while, asking to have everything repeated gets very old. I know I cannot hear when people are "low talkers". I have begun wearing my hearing aids all of the time.

I admire my husband for having the courage to admit his need for help. It was not easy.

So, watch out everybody because we can hear you now!

Verizon...eat your heart out.

b+

Keeping Life Fair: Wear Hearing Aids and other good stuff!

Just Because...Seaside, Oregon

LET'S PLAY FAIR
Do you have a hard time hearing but, according to you, are doing just fine?  How many times a day do you say "Huh?" After all, if the you are able to get most of the important stuff, can turn the TV up on the 12 setting and don't have to listen to a lot of small talk, why should you pay all that money for the stupid things?  Right?

Well, here is the deal. You do not live in a bubble. You share your life with other people. Taking those people into account would lead most people to reconsider their decision to pass up the hearing aids. How about you? Remember, you need to be fair to the humans and the whining dog that needs to go out.

Oh by the way, my husband has worn hearing aids for years so I am not talking about him or anyone in particular!:) I'm just saying.

ON A LIGHTER NOTE...
I came across a couple of blogs I think you should read.

• Frikos World: Friko is a middle aged German woman living in England who can be funny while quoting Shakespeare.  It doesn't get much better than that. 
• Where's My Effing Pony: Funny, insightful, English.  
• Why You Little.....: This is a light hearted blog is written by a ve-e-e-ery talented writer.  I love this  genre. When the cat drives a car I want to hear about it! Take a look.

That's all for today. 

b

Why Hear Aids...I'm deaf and my family was suffering!

The neighbors said if we weren't going to watch the
Cubs we needed to turn the TV off!

     As the younger set would say OMG!!! I am now the proud owner of two, not just one, but two hearing aids!!!  Did I tell you I need them?  Well I do.  My hearing is less than 2/3 of what it should be and the TV in our house was blaring so loud our neighbor, Tom, knew what our taste in TV was and did not necessarily agree with us.
     If you or your husband had a pair of hearing aids several years ago and found they were more of a problem than a help, I totally understand.   The old hearing aids  were not good in crowds, the listening device was big and unsightly and the ear pieces hurt your ears no matter what the tech did to them. You are probably so disillusioned you think you cannot or will not wear them ever again. My husband fought getting new ones for that very reason!  He finally conceded that he needed help.  Soon after he was fitted with his he sent me to get tested too.  Now I am urging you to give the new hearing aids a try.   I think you will be happy with the results.  In Oregon we can return them within 30 days if we don't want them.  I don't see how you could go wrong.
    Hearing loss takes a toll on you but it is the people around you who suffer.  Loud talking, embarrassed missed verbal cues and withdrawal because the person with the hearing loss cannot understand are only a few of the things that are a problem for the wife or husband.  The family will be frustrated when the person with the loss claims "they hear better than anyone realizes" because they don't recognize the depth of their problem.  I had a friend say once that it was not fair to the wife/husband when the partner did not get help for hearing loss.  I think the statement is absolutely true.
     Fitting the hearing aids takes very little time and the technology for fitting them just for your needs is absolutely amazing.  I was astounded when I put mine on and had no feeling of them being very loud or amplifying the background noise.  I simply could hear better.  I know I was talking very loud and I could even feel my voice volume going down.  It was just wonderful.
     So, how did the cost for these babies add up.  I know that is what you are asking so let's just cut right to the chase.  Costco...what can I say!  They are less expensive with no pressure to buy or not buy because the guy that does the testing and fitting is NOT on commission. Because our hearing loss is so profound,  my husband and I went with the most expensive Costco had to sell in the ReSound line.  At $2500 for two hearing aids, we both thought is was a bargain.   We were both fitted with ReSound hearing aids designed for people with profound to mild hearing loss.   They are very comfortable with soft ear buds or a soft fitted ear piece.  I chose a black aid that fits behind the ear with a soft wire and ear bud that goes in the year.  My glasses have black temples over the ear and you absolute would not know I even had them on.
      I see that Costco has a Kirkland brand hearing aids too.  If I were you, I would ask what you really need so you can compare and see if they might work.  But I do love the ReSound ones.  Believe me it is as though the world is tuned in again.  I am thrilled and my family is relieved!  Even my granddaughter is delighted!
      I wanted to give you a word of encouragement if you were undecided...people around you will be so grateful!
b

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