Freepik
As I type this, I am wearing my new hearing aids! I lost a significant amount of my hearing when I underwent surgery twice (temporary and then permanent) when they installed my pacemaker last February after my heart stopped. I could hear, but everything was super muffled, like someone had wrapped my head in a bubble. I particularly had trouble hearing Harvey and Brian, the two most important people in my life. (They both speak softly and weren’t about to change.) They had to repeat almost everything they said, even when they got my attention first and I was looking at them plus trying to read their lips.
Now I’m in the process of trying to adapt to everything, including my own voice, being so LOUD! These hearing aids discriminate between voices and background noise, like traffic. There is a phone app that Brian has already installed for me that allows me to control a bunch of things from my phone, rather than trying to push a button on the back of the hearing aid, or having to go to the hearing aid place – after getting an appointment – for the lady to adjust things for me.
They use rechargeable batteries, so I just put them in the charger overnight and they’re good for the whole next day, plus.
Right now I’m feeling overwhelmed. For example, I didn’t know my keyboard on this computer makes noise as you tap the keys! I’ll have to learn not to be distracted by that.
My plan for right now is to put them in after I shower and dress after we’re back from the gym and then take them out after dinner when I’m back at my place for the night. I think my poor brain will adapt more quickly, and I’ll get a routine going on recharging, cleaning, taking them in and out, etc. Later I may change to just wearing them when I’m out.
On one hand, it’s a relief to be able to hear again, whether I’m looking at the person or not. This will add to my safety when I venture out for walks, too, as I’ll be more aware of traffic around me. On the other hand, it’s a bit stressful to be newly aware of all the NOISE around me when I’m used to everything being muffled.
I’m an extremely lucky lady. We don’t have insurance to cover these, and we had to pay up front, and a lot of people have to wait a lot longer or just have to do without. I am SO, SO thankful.
creativeartworksblog 
Oh, that’s good but yes, something new to get used to! All the noise!
Now, you can ask Brian if there’s a setting on your computer to turn off that keyboard sound. I believe there is.
I just woke up and had a dream that an aunt of mine performed a brain procedure on me. It was the weirdest dream I’ve ever had! She is a retired nurse, but she used to work for a bladder doctor not a brain surgeon, and she performed the procedure at her home! I am still wrapping my mind around this! Ha! I feel like the Sign guy!
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Brian came down to my place after dinner to make sure I got my phone and computer backed up, got my hearing aids out and into the recharger. When I had trouble hearing him, he said, “Oh, we’re back to that.” I just grinned at him.
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Ha! Go figure, huh?
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🙂
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What a good New to get use to. All the noise setting on your computer. Good satting on mobile apps .
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yes, I’m very lucky. I will love being able to change the settings on my phone while I’m out somewhere.
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I’m glad you got your hearing aids and the app that goes with them! My stepdaughter was born with a certain amount of hearing loss but she never really noticed it until Covid, when everyone was wearing masks and she realized she had been reading lips much more than she’d realized! All of a sudden she couldn’t “hear” people as well. So she was able to get hearing aids and she loves them. She also has a feature where she can be talking on the phone with someone or listening to music and she’s the only one who can hear it because it’s tapped straight into her hearing aids. She does have to adjust them based on where she is and what kind of background noise there is. I’m sure you’ll get used to yours in no time!
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I’m so happy for your step daughter! I am adjusting to mine already and I am very grateful to have them.
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