I can’t be sure when I needed hearing aids, but I’m pretty sure the problems started around mid to late college.
Though, now that I think about it, there were some times throughout high school where I couldn’t hear what the teachers were saying with their back turned toward the class. But then again, I have always attributed that to practically giving up and not giving a damn anymore.
But that’s a different story for another time.
A few years ago, my father’s audiologist (hearing doctor) told me I needed to get hearing aids for both ears. If not both, then the left ear for sure.
Problem was, the insurance company I had at the time believed there was no need for me to have these “aids” as they called them, since I was in my mid 20’s. And since I was so young, I was told there was no possible way I would ever need them.
Because I was paying about 80% of my paycheck to my student loans, and the rest toward gas, there was no way for me to possibly pay for them out of pocket. And asking my parents for help was out of the question, since they were already helping me with cosigning loans, taking on two of them to ease my wallet, and letting me live under their roof without helping to pay for any utilities.
Before you call me entitled, I have already tried offering to pay for rent and utilities many, many times. And each time they vehemently refused. We ended up coming with a way for me to help without actually having to fork over any money — help around the house and go grocery shopping for Mom.
Now that I’m living on my own and have “better” insurance (at least I was told it was better — the company I currently work for is paying for it), I decided it was high time I have my ears tested again.
And boy do I need hearing aids!
Once again, my insurance company representative told me that unless I was under the age of 21, they couldn’t help me pay for even a penny of my aids.
This time, though, I wouldn’t take no for an answer.
I talked with my audiologist’s secretary, and she helped me sign up for credit to pay for not one, but both hearing aids.
It’ll be yet another loan, but I was told it would be worth it.
I walked into my audiologist’s office on Friday afternoon to have the aids fitted and tested. He walked me through every button, every mode, and even the payment plan I had selected, making sure I understood everything I would be working with.
I didn’t even realize just how muffled my world was until I walked out of his office.
It was as if Sound itself was exploding all over me, covering me in every ping, twang, and swish known to humankind. In hindsight, I probably should have waited to wear them when I got home. Why? because I couldn’t stop looking all around me, windows rolled all the way down, as I experienced city noise for the first time. I practically ran into my apartment and bounced all around my roommates, excitedly gibbering like a squirrel about everything that was going on.
I spent the next day constantly texting my father, who also wears hearing aids (and has worn them for my entire life) if things really did sound the way they did for him as well.
It kind of makes me wonder what else I’ve missed out on these past few years.
I can’t wait to go on a nature walk! Think of all the birds I’ll be able to hear!!
L.J. LaBree 