H is for Hearing

H

The five traditional methods of perception, or senses, are sound, sight, touch, taste and smell…have you ever considered what your life would be like without one of these?

At 21 years of age, while I was living in Alice Springs, I noticed I wasn’t hearing as well as I should.  For example I didn’t hear my mobile phone ringing, despite it being right beside me.

Knowing I had a problem, it still took me almost three years to make an appointment to see an audiologist.  By this time I was living in Melbourne and I remember that day like it was yesterday.

It was Monday 30th November, 1998 when my life changed forever.

On that day, I visited a suburban audiologist where I was bluntly given the diagnosis that I needed hearing aids.  A young professional woman, who took pride in her appearance, and couldn’t face a “disability”…it just couldn’t be happening!

Lucky for me I found a more caring audiologist who understood my concerns and has looked after me since that time, and still does to this day…(to me that’s testament to the notion of finding the right healthcare professionals for you).

In early 1999, I was fitted with my first set of hearing aids – at first I wore my hair long so my ears were always covered because I didn’t want anyone to know, I didn’t even tell my employer.

Some 15 years later, I’ve come to accept that this is the way my life is, and I’m more open about my hearing impairment – but I can tell you it is not easy!

I am truly blessed to have supportive family and friends – they know to look at me when they are speaking, they know I have terrible trouble in noisy situations…and they put up with having subtitles on the TV screen whenever I am around.

I will never forget Monday 30th November, 1998…but in the words of Friedrich Nietzsche…what does not kill me, makes me stronger!

…the five traditional methods of perception, or senses, are sound, sight, touch, taste and smell…have you ever considered what your life would be like without one of these?

Regards

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2 thoughts on “H is for Hearing

  1. littlecely

    It’s difficult when your senses get away from you. My mom always remembers that when I was young and had broken my glasses, I had to wait a week to get new ones and the moment I put those new glasses on I turned to my mom and said with awe in my voice, “Mom, I can see the leaves on the trees.” We sometimes take for granted the senses we have, it is good to be reminded of their importance every now and then.

    Reply
    1. The Tax Chic Post author

      Hi Cely, when I first got my hearing aids I remember hearing sounds like I’ve never heard them before!

      Reply

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