First things first
Wednesday November 29th 2023, 8:38 pm
Filed under: Family,Life

My audiologist sympathized when I got them but told me that no, that feature couldn’t be turned off.

The resident engineer was sure it was for calibrating the things each time.

To me, it’s an aural ping-pong ball bouncing up and down on the table till at last it rolls in a straight line.

What it is is a sixteen-note little tune that my hearing aids play starting about ten seconds after I turn them on. You cannot just instantly hear the world; you have to wait. And then you have to listen to that (stupid) little tune finally getting to that one repeating note before any outside sound will click on. The volume is pre-set to make the tune loud enough for someone like me to be able to hear it even in a noisy environment–and that’s a lot.

Which is how I got told by Lillian, who was standing looking up at me, Grammy! You have birds in your ears!


4 Comments so far
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Oh, I so understand and sympathize, not about hearing aids myself, but having to listen to pre-programmed noises and music, with no ability to delete or mute. Knowing somebody else has this feeling kinda makes me feel a little better, so I hope my comment does that for you — from a former near C&O Canal resident, Fuchs patient, and non-knitter who loves your blog.

Comment by Carol M. Wilson 11.30.23 @ 5:36 am

I’m sure it is unnerving but maybe now “knowing” it is a silly birdsong will make those seconds seem shorter.

Comment by DebbieR 11.30.23 @ 8:10 am

Turn them on and wait 10 seconds before putting them in your ears.

Comment by Cybil 11.30.23 @ 10:54 am

I like the way she thinks.

Comment by ccr in MA 11.30.23 @ 2:29 pm



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