Where I Confess To Friends And Family
Michael is one of my favorite guys ever. In the spirit of disclosure, you need to know that.
He wrote a post that I had to go back and read a few times because it hits on something that you don’t want to admit or even talk about. You realize that sometimes one thread weaves itself with another and you don’t know why until it hits you a couple of days later.
I’m a pretty gregarious person. My grandmother used to say I was just naturally rowdy. And because of this, I went into radio and media. I like being a somewhat reluctant yet on my own terms community organizer (I like to do it under the veil of night.)
So, when I was reading about Michael being a textrovert, I realized the reason why it impacted me was because of a certain, hidden thing I’ve been avoiding talking about.
I talk a lot about how my dad has suffered hearing loss. He can hear certain tones, his hearing aids just overwhelm him due to the background noises and they irritate his ears. He can hear but there are times that you are talking to him and unless he’s looking at you, he sometimes misses what’s being said.
A few weeks ago, Sadcox and I were going to talk on Skype about NewsTechZilla. I panicked a bit, because, although I’m not as bad as my father, I’m starting to lose my hearing. I have a hell of a time with my cell phone and there are times I have to ask my staff twice what they just said because I didn’t get it all the first time.
Low talkers are not something I can hear in the least.
Sometimes it’s embarrassing.
It’s become a joke with the birthdaylicious Squirrel Queen as well as with Homer. They honestly really are the only two who knew that, although it’s not a terrible problem just yet, it is degenerating. One of the main reasons I’ve been looking for another job is my current insurance doesn’t cover hearing loss equipment which is expensive, campers. Then, Christian Grantham asked about me getting on Skype with him on his wonderful morning show online that he produces each morning. (Incidentally, John Carney of Lake Neuron fame will be on there next week.)
Garsh.
So, I’ve been using a set of headsets that Sadcox sent to me and testing them out because, by golly, I’m going to podcast if it kills me. I also keep my voice mail box full on my phone (I can’t hear the damned thing anyway. It’s sort of like the teachers on Charlie Brown) and now you know the reason.
So, as Mike said, I’d rather text.
But I’m going to move on through the fear and get cracking. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not devastating at this point, but I’m headed down the path that Big Daddy, who loves music more than he loves life, has gone down. I’ve seen him go through it. He has built tools around himself and so will I. Of course, once I need a hearing aid, I’m going to wear it.
You see, I’m going to contact the boys week, see if we can hear each other (or I can hear them, rather) explain the reasons why I’ve been a tittybaby and move through it. At this point, I’m just going to crank it up.
Hell, that’s the way I did it in radio so I’ll just do it again.
So, you see, Mike’s post gave me some clarity on why I’ve been backtracking.
Funny how that happens.
You always make me smile. My best your way.
Oh boy. This hits VERY close to home for me, as I have about 60% in my left, or good ear, and about 30% in my right ear, and Lauren is on me to get hearing aids.
Yet, I always remember my grandfather, (who had them as long as I can remember) who hated them because he said they never filtered out noise, just made the noise louder, so I’ve resisted.
I am very sympathetic here…
puddles has some hearing loss in one of her ears that seems to be worse at some times than it is at others. not enough to require equipment at her age, but enough to be slightly noticeable. when the problem first showed up, the doctors seemed to think that it was due to her repeated ear infections before she had her tonsils removed and that it would correct itself. so far, after 3 years, no.
it must be frustrating to her, and it breaks my heart. she will say, “mommy, i can’t hear you, my ear is fuzzy again.”
you say that sometimes it is embarrassing. i will tell you what my grandfather used to say when he had a hard time hearing me. “say whatever you just said again, i am so special that i have to hear things twice and LOUD.”
you share yourself and your soul here, ‘coma. and for that i just love the fire out of you! (o heck, i love ya anyway!)
Give Puddles my love. I know it’s hard for her and I love you right back, dear CJ.
Hmmm….now that ’splains a lot! I was wondering why you were so reluctant with your radio background. I had a small lapse of hearing a few years ago and can relate–it makes things a little confusing.
Maybe you’ll feel better when you hear my mouth-full-of-marbles speaking. Ever notice how Ric Flair’s tongue seems to be too big for his mouth? Yeah, that’s me.
I’ve worn hearing aids for years now – I have to. I’d be in meetings and have no idea what was taking place. Modern hearing aids have gotten all ‘puterized so they are better at filtering things that are background noise out but they are not perfect.
There aren’t many companies that pay anything towards them, and since they’re more expensive than everything on a per pound basis, we’re screwed. I’m on my third set and I told my audiologist these had to be the last set I ever bought so they have enough room to boost the volume several times more.
I lucked out with the first set, they were tiny training wheel types and were only a grand a pair, but these new-fangled computer chip versions with several settings are more in the $2,500 range – per ear.
Eh? Eh?
How ’bout that Sarah Palin, *EH!?*
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You just wait, whippersnapper! You just wait. If any of us live that long, we’ll laugh our asses off.