Chickens in the Basement

I love to write and I love to laugh. When I write, I get to the point quick. My stories would fit on the back of a postcard. They usually make me chuckle. And you know what they say, "It's all about me!"

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

What Did You Say?

For the last month or so, I have noticed my hearing has been getting worse and worse. When Granny lost her hearing about 10 years ago, we noticed that she would smile and nod whenever she didn't understand what we were saying. We could have gotten her to agree with just about anything. Well, I have found myself doing the same thing. I'll ask folks to repeat themselves one or two times. If I still can't understand them, I change the subject or just nod.

Huh?

I also remember from Granny, hearing aids cost a minimum of $3000 10 years ago, they must be pushing $5000 or so now. So, I have been pretending my hearing loss wasn't happening because there were no spare $1000 bills laying around the house.

What did you say?
Last night, I mentioned to my husband that I had really been having a hard time hearing. He said he had noticed, not so much from me asking him to repeat himself, but from me yelling at him and the boys for not answering me. Oops! Sorry about that, fellas! I told him my concerns about the cost of hearing aids. He said to at least see Dr. Moore and make sure there isn't something else wrong first.

Eh?

This morning, I called to schedule an appointment thinking it would be a few weeks out. Instead, they asked if I could be there by 11:30. If I kicked my butt into high gear, I could make it.

Why aren't you answering me?

When Nurse Donna hooked me up to the decibel machine, she said my hearing, particularly on the left side, was not good. They had done the same test about 3 years ago and in comparison, both ears have gotten worse.

What's that?

When Dr. Moore came in, he had a look inside my ears and exclaimed that I had enough fluid floating on my eardrums to fill a juice glass. Hearing aids wouldn't be necessary. He is in the process of scheduling an appointment for me to see an Ear Nose and Throat guy. If they put tubes in my ears to drain out the fluid, I should be able to hear much better. And, yep, my insurance will cover it.

I can't hear you!

Most folks who get tubes in their ears are about 4 years old and have lots of ear infections. I'm 44 and just have a high pitched squeal. No hearing aids yet, but I do think they are in my future. All of that loud music in high school and college.

Smile and nod

16 comments:

Barbara said...

Join the crowd. I am 40 percent deaf in both ears. I've had tubes as an adult (but they didn't help me). Neither will hearing aids, as it appears to be a nerve thing.

So, if we ever meet, I will be the "what?" person. You can point and laugh.

I hope the tubes work; just be careful in the shower! And look at me when you're talking to me!!
___
Barbara
http://ifididnthaveasenseofhumor.blogspot.com

Linda @ A La Carte said...

WHAT'S THAT YOU SAY???? Well if it's fluid then the tubes will help. My youngest had lots of fluid in her ears at a young age but no tubes we just used meds.

jamie@midcenturymania said...

What? Can you type a little louder?
Eat more chocolate. That cures everything.

BadPenny said...

I did wonder if draining might help. My mum is quite deaf now & the kids & I have such a giggle - luckily she sees the funny side too.

She doesn't get on well with her hearing aids at all.

Anonymous said...

I had no idea that you have to pay that much for a hearing aid! I presumed that they were free here in the UK because of our NHS system, but maybe they aren't!!

Chicken Boys said...

Whew! That's a relief. Of course, aids are prolly due me, too. I couldn't find a thing on the radio driving home the other day, so I put in an old techno cd. It was sorta club music. I pumped it up and nearly beat the steering wheel to death! Not the norm, but I was in a good mood, and felt like jammin'.
~Randy

Little Messy Missy said...

My son is on his 4th set of tubes. He is 14 and will have them forever. Good luck!

Vintage Christine said...

When I was diagnosed with tinnitus, that ring-a-dinging in your ears, I read up on it and found out that people actually consider killing themselves because of it! How stupid is that? I know you're glad to know you won't need a hearing aid YET. If they're too expensive, you can just get one of those big horns . . .

Mary said...

...........no wonder you didn't hear me when I offered you the tickets to Africa, just kidding!!! You are #2 on the wait list though!

So glad they can help you Anna and hope the hearing aids may never be needed.

1950s Atomic Ranch House said...

Ha ha you are adorable! Glad it sounds like a fairly "easy" fix.

I talk on the phone. A lot. it's my job. I trained myself to listen with my left ear only. It goes up to the right or creative side of my brain. The side that knows how to make money ha.

If I hold the phone to my right ear, it's the same thing: "WHUT?!" It's like hearing someone talk on a bad tin can and string phone lol....

Oh and Mom just talked over me when her hearing wasn't so good any more lolol....

Anne Lorys said...

Well thank goodness you don't need a Miracle Ear!

Not yet, anyway. ;-)

Have a wonderful day!
Anne

LemonyRenee' said...

Well, that's wonderful news! You seem to be on a lucky streak . . . get all your "stuff" checked out while it lasts!

Little Messy Missy said...

You have won an award on my blog, go take a peek.
xoxo

Jill said...

I'm glad there's help for you. I think my hearing was definitely affected by loud music. Now, I don't like to listen to anything.

Anonymous said...

I can relate! And I do not have fluid in my ears.

Joey Lynn Resciniti said...

The cost of hearing aids is a real problem. I can't figure out why insurance won't pay for them. It's not like anyone is wearing them because they're a fashion statement.

My daughter wears hearing aids and we're very blessed to live in a state where medical assistance picks up the tab. Children's Hospital billed $7000 a piece for the things!

When she turns 21 she'll be a self-payer but I hope to have changed the world by then so she won't have to worry about it.