SELECTIVE HEARING

I thought of this today while I was driving. Things can be extremely noisy at not only the holidays but at other times. I was the mother of four boys and I certainly can verify that the noise level can increase during a round of video competition or even an outdoor sport. I attended a NASCAR race once and again the noise from the cars racing was loud, no more like a roaring tornado.

So, what does this have to do with selective hearing. I can choose to turn my hearing aids off and block out the sound IF I want to. [And no I don't mean to do this while driving.]

If things get too noisy or you are trying to take a nap and the noise bothers you, remove the aid or turn it off. If you are around kids you know that they still have to be within your vision. I used this technique once when my boys were just being boys. My father-in-law asked me if the noise bothered me and as soon as he asked the question he knew the answer. He laughed and knew that this time I had an advantage over him. He couldn't tune out the noise.

(And yes, I would rather be like my father-in-law and have perfect hearing but since living with a hearing loss is something I deal with daily, I kind of like this selective hearing.)

CHRISTMAS SEASON

December marks the beginning of the colorful green and red colors that are almost everywhere. The green color of the Christmas tree is adorned with twinkling or clear lights and a variety of ornaments that fill almost the spaces on the branches. The red poinsettias, red and white candy canes, and the bright red color of Santa's suit add to the palette. Combined with either twinkling or clear lights that adorn both homes and businesses as well as the Christmas trees the beauty of the season takes on a different glow.

The one thing that makes the season special is the melodies of songs, the ringing of bells, and the snap and crackle of a fire burning in a fireplace. Children laughing, carolers singing, and church choirs with voices blending are more sounds that everyone appreciates. Enjoy the season but take time to listen, really listen to the world around you. After all, it comes only once a year.

THREE YEARS BIG

It's so amazing to see how resilient young children can be especially if they are born with a hearing problem. I met the most delightful young lady today who is a 3 year bundle of energy. She had soft blond hair and was the most feminine little lady you can imagine. What I didn't recognize for quite some time was that she was wearing hearing aids in both of her ears. She has no stigma about her hearing and what others think. For her, it is a way to understand others and it will be a way of life for her. She does have to pay a little extra attention when you are talking mainly so she can distinguish certain letters and get her pronunciation right. Other than that you would never realize that she had any handicap. Why can't we be more like children??

THANKSGIVING

As I approach Thanksgiving and look forward to the time I will be spending with my family I need to appreciate all that God has given me. I may have some difficult things to handle but the blessings He has given me far outweigh the problems. My life is an extension of Him and He has given me challenges along life. I need to make the best of everything and use my experiences to help others in life.

REACH OUT TO OTHERS

Many people suffer from hearing loss and feel alone and out of touch simply because others don’t understand or because they are treated as if they are deaf. Reach out to them and let them know that you care and understand what challenges they are facing. A stroke that causes the mind to be confused is challenging enough but coupled with hearing loss it is even harder. There is always something new that can be challenging. Help others with the information you know and the experiences you have discovered along life's journey

PHONE CALLS

Answering the telephone can be a challenge for us who have trouble hearing. In order to hear clearly from your end of the line find a phone that is hearing aid compatible. It may take some time to find one but with today's technology and digital phones it is a lot easier.

Listening to the person talking on the other end of the line can also be somewhat challenging. If the person has a clear voice it is not a problem. But the one thing that is frustrating is the soft spoken person who leaves a message. They don't realize that I can't understand what they are saying. In some cases I have had my husband (who doesn't have a hearing problem)listen to the message and he can't make any sense of it either. In that case, we just shake our heads and feel that if it is important they will have to call back.

I keep the volume control on the phone at its highest level. That gives me one additional advantage. When I am personally talking to someone and I am having problems hearing, I identify my problem and ask them to speak louder. Most of the time it helps; other times it just doesn't work. How I wish others would understand our problems. It isn't visible to others but to us it is a reality.

LISTENING IS A SKILL

Nothing is going to improve my hearing. I've only got to prevent it from getting worse. (Stephanie Beacham)

Gossip, n.: Hearing something you like about someone you don't. (Earl Wilson)

Praise does wonders for our sense of hearing." (Arnold Glasgow)

Blindness cuts you off from things; deafness cuts you off from people." (Helen Keller)

I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen. (Earnest Hemingway)