COULD YOU REPEAT THAT?
Agony aunt Bel Mooney is used to solving other people’s problems. So she’s embarrassed to admit that she ignored one of her own life-changing health issues – until now. She explains why we all need a wake-up call…
Addressing hearing loss
Isimply didn’t want to admit it. Being hard of hearing is something I associated with old age. That’s why, about eight years ago, I refused to believe that my hearing was deteriorating. Watching TV gradually became a struggle: I’d turn up the volume until my poor husband was being deafened. In the theatre I’d strain to hear, sometimes struggling to follow the play because I would miss parts of the dialogue. At a party where the background noise was loud I just nodded and pretended to hear – too embarrassed to keep saying ‘I’m sorry?’ or ‘Say again?’ Back at home when I missed something my husband said, I would stubbornly point out that he has a very soft voice…
This denial is very common. But at last I saw the irony. As the Daily Mail’s advice columnist, I read problem letters every day and do my best to give advice – encouraging my readers to take action and find solutions. Yet here I was, with a condition that affected all aspects of my life, refusing to admit I needed help. The crunch came one day when my husband pointed out the beautiful birdsong all around us and I had to confess I couldn’t hear it. It was time to act.
My first choice was (of course) the NHS. But then serendipity intervened. I was driving through Bath when I saw a modest sign on a shopfront. It said, Hidden Hearing – and I thought ruefully, ‘Yes, my poor old hearing is pretty hidden!’ The very next day I saw an advert in a magazine for the same chain of hearing centres, so I rang up and arranged an appointment.
I had no idea that hearing aids could be so small – or so expensive. But when I worked out a daily cost over (say) six or seven years of the aid’s likely life, it didn’t seem much at all. And can you put a price on hearing? I now wear them every day – and tell people about them all the time, because it’s so important to be open and counter any stigma. We all need to look after ourselves and be honest about what we need to do to improve our quality of life. I haven’t just made my hearing better, I’ve improved every aspect of daily existence. Telephone calls to my office are now much easier. Who wouldn’t want to hear a grandchild’s sweet little mumblings? Or every note of a favourite song? Going to the theatre is now a trouble-free experience, and at parties I can actually hear what my friends are saying. I wish I’d acted sooner.
A life without sound can be lonely. Hearing loss shouldn’t be looked at as an age-related condition, either, because young people can have the problem, too. I’d urge anyone who is worried about their hearing to seek help straight away. Whether you take the NHS path or seek out a high street provider is your choice; what matters is to take action. The longer you wait, the more your hearing deteriorates and the harder it is adapt to technology. And just think of all the lovely conversation and glorious birdsong you might be missing!