Everything Seems So Loud

Ahh, the wonderful aging process. So many new things to experience; some are welcome. but many others are not.

Going into the senior years, changes are small and uneventful. A few laugh lines appear and maybe some gray hair starts to mix in. Nothing that causes any concern or alarm, just a natural progression in life. In time we find comfort in the "laugh" lines and welcome the gray as it ushers in less work and fewer trips to the salon.

As time goes by, we may experience some of the other issues of getting older. These may include joint pain, issues with our eyes, etc. Our eyeglasses may require a stronger prescription, and at some point, we may need cataract surgery. Eventually some of us may encounter a hip or knee replacement. None of these is earth shattering and when addressed we continue on with our normal routines.

And then there is the hearing loss. I had noticed for several years that my hearing was not what it once was. A couple of years ago, I had my hearing tested and was told I could use hearing aids. I told them I would let them know when I was ready. The doctor looked at me and said "well, you are ready now. You mean that you personally are not ready." We both chuckled and I confirmed that it was personal vanity at that time.

This year it became apparent that I needed to address the hearing loss. After another hearing test, the reality of how much hearing I had lost became clear. It was not something I could ignore any longer. Fortunately, hearing aids have come a long way, and most people would never know that you are wearing them. I made the purchase (an expensive proposition for sure) and am in the process of adjusting.

They are comfortable and I hardly even notice I am wearing them. However, the first time they were put in I was amazed. What I was most startled by was how I could hear myself talking. I had not known that I wasn't able to hear myself talk anymore. He even noticed that I was speaking in a quieter voice because I could hear myself. 

What is quite surprising is how loud everything seems to be. The television volume, the microwave buzzer going off, or even a door closing. Suddenly I am hearing things like stones under my feet or my hand brushing against something - things that I had not been hearing before. In all honesty, it is so much previously unheard noise, and it is quite loud, that I feel like my brain is working overtime to process it all. 

In the end, once I have adjusted and the sound is not overwhelming, I know I will be much happier. It will be wonderful to fully engage in life once again.




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