Time to Read: 6 minutes
I'm a widow and I live on my own, so I have no one to please but myself.
I enjoy my own company and catching up with my neighbours. Of course, it is always a joy when my grown up grandchildren come to pay me a visit. I enjoy watching TV, especially the quiz shows in the late afternoon and my English comedies.
My daughter came over the other day. She complained that my TV was too loud. Was it? I didn't notice.
A little while later my grandson became exasperated because he asked me a question and I didn't hear.
If he didn't mumble, I wouldn't have a problem hearing him.
Then they all started ganging up on me - my children, my grandchildren, all of them… The cheek!
I complained to my dearest and oldest friend but she laughed and said, 'what do you expect, my dear? We're all getting old'.
She might be, but I'm not.
The next week simply added insult to injury. My daughter and son-in-law came to take me out shopping and before we know it, I was being walked into an office and told I was going to have my hearing tested.
I was steamed. How dare they? Well, I just sat there and let them do the test. The next thing I’m told I need hearing aids.
Well, that is a surprise. That's what these people are here for right? To sell hearing aids?
I tuned out of the conversation after that. I was simply too resentful to think clearly or to listen carefully.
Hearing aids? Hearing aids are for old people. They are large, ugly and I don't want them.
The nice young man at the clinic explains to me how these aids will help my hearing, but I don't pay much attention.
I don't even really notice the man put the hearing aids in my ears, until I can start to hear things more clearly.
I don't have to say 'pardon' whenever anyone says something and if I'm honest with myself, I have been withdrawing from family gatherings because it was just so difficult to hear through the babble.
But after a couple of hours of wearing them, I'm not sure I want to hear better. The world around me is too loud, it's making me tired. Going to a shopping centre food court for a cup of coffee was painful.
Now I have these little devices in my ears, I have no idea what to do with the damn things.
I know I wanted something discreet, but the wretched things are too small. I can't get them to sit in my ear properly.
Let's face it, it's one of the reasons why I've stopped wearing earrings. My dexterity is not as good as it used to be.
Oh, and while I'm on a rant, let me tell you about the terrible little battery doors.
The first time I managed to get them out on my own, I opened the little door and ping!, the battery went flying. That makes them useless. I think I've vacuumed battery up, but I'm not going through the bag to try and get it out.
So, there you have it, my experience in a nutshell. I have hearing aids I don't want, can’t use and now just sit in the drawer.
Yes, I suppose I could use hearing aids and yes, perhaps one day I might go back and get fitted for hearing aids I can work with, but I'll do it when I'm good and ready and not because I've been bullied into it by my family.
We’ve heard this story more times than we’d like.
If you feel under pressure from well-meaning friends and family, or from a hearing aid practitioner, then stop and think.
The only way hearing aids work is if you make the active choice to buy and use them. The choice has to be yours - and there are great reasons why making the investment in hearing aids is the smart decision.
We have some articles here on how hearing aids can not only improve your hearing but also enhance your well-being and maintain your cognitive function.
