A phrase made popular by a well-known cell phone service provider, and most of us likely still associate it with that guy popping up in all sorts of out of the way places… Sometimes it’s simply my hubby’s “check phrase” just after I put new batteries in my hearing aids. Up until a little over a month ago, though, it was a phrase said through clenched teeth by that now frequently frustrated husband, when he’s had to repeat himself one too many times for his tolerance level. So what happened over a month ago? I had my aids reprogrammed. And now I can safely say a happy, “Yes!” to that question, “I can hear you now”.

Let’s back up some though. For at least two years prior, our poor beleaguered marriage was suffering communication breakdown, because it seemed like, no matter what, I was just not catching what he was saying without lots of repetition; it was frustrating on both sides. There were lots of reasons I hadn’t gone in and got my hearing and my hearing aids checked out. Multiple years of various family dramas, some incurred debt from those dramas, TIME, and frankly, me not making it a priority; shame on me. It was a constant, “I’ll do it soon”. My husband had stopped talking to me as much as he used to. He just wasn’t up to the frustration a simple conversation took. Can’t say I blame him. But our marriage was suffering for this issue. At this point, I have had this set of aids, my second set, for about six years now. Given that most aids life expectancy averages three to five years, we had to wonder was it the aids?

Sharing a secret here, my “love language” is ‘words of affirmation’; which basically means words matter to me – a lot. HOW those words are delivered (choice of words as well as tone and inflection) also has impact. That being said you’ll understand why I thought what my husband said to me was the sweetest thing ever, when after reviewing our finances, he said, “Honey, I want to invest in us, in our communication. Take a look at what’s out there and let’s see about getting you some new hearing aids”. Wow! What a guy! He’s such a keeper!!

So on with my tale; with license to spend (and what gal doesn’t like that!) I went on the hunt, investigating what the offerings were like these days. In the process I had a free hearing test and did a “test drive” at my local ‘big box’ store. I requested my results so I could compare them to earlier tests. (See my “About me…” page for a look at how my hearing has changed over the last 12 years). In looking at the results, I realized there had been a significant shift in my hearing, and not on the positive side. At that point, I decided to return to my current provider to have my hearing checked again (see if it was in line with the ‘big box’ store) and also to have the aids themselves checked. Finally, if possible, get a ‘program update’ to my current set of aids.

Soooo should have done it two years ago. It had been over four years since my last hearing test. Fortunately, my provider said my aids are in great shape. Getting a reprogram on six year old aids was almost as good as getting new ones! What a difference! I really hadn’t realized how much depression and isolation I was suffering from not being able to hear. Prior to the reprogram I would say I was catching 60, maybe 70% of what was said to me or around me. Post reprogram? I am now catching 95% of what is said to or around me. Now what I miss is more in line with someone who is not impaired, and by and large because I wasn’t paying attention.

Bottom line of this post? Don’t wait if you’re “suffering”. Get your hearing tested at least once a year. (Most insurance companies will cover a yearly, routine, hearing test). Make sure your programming is current. You will not only feel better in general, but also better about yourself; and your family and friends will appreciate your investment in communicating with them.