Okay, I am close to 73 years of age. For almost 50 years I had not been inside a hospital as a patient. Suddenly I needed a stent for my heart; a hemorrhoid operation. Anemia and blood loss followed. With good doctors I have weathered my 2006-2007 health crises.
I wish I could still play basketball but my back, ankle and knee will not cooperate. I still ride both my bicycles (outdoors and stationary). My mind still functions although some people would say poorly. I have no problems sleeping and my appetite is fine. I teach at two universities; write about 50 travel, wine and spirit stories a year; broadcast on XM Satellite Radio and travel outside my home base at least 12 times a year. I have acupuncture, body cleansing, message therapy and yoga instructors come to my place to keep my joints moving. I still have a full head of hair.
Here it is 2008 and I seem to be having hearing problems. First my left ear. The doctors clean out wax buildup and test my hearing. There is a slight loss in the left ear. See us in a few months. It doesn’t get better and suddenly the right ear seems to be effected. Back to the doctor for more tests. “It’s time for a hearing aid.” Those dreaded words hit me hard. I am old. What is left to go (that went a while ago)? I resist; I ask people to repeat themselves; I lean forward and strain to hear, especially in a crowded room. I tell my students that I have water in my ears and need them to speak up.
The day finally comes. I make an appointment with a chain operation nearby. Big mistake. They test me and fit me for a pair of hearing aids. I go home and realize I can’t fit them into my ear because I have large hands (with some arthritis). I return them the next day. On top of that when I checked the internet I find the same hearing aids available at 50% less. I finally realized I need a local audiologist who understands what type of aid I need and will be available to talk to or see me if I have a problem. Dr. Dennis Kisiel is just such a person. He practices in Brooklyn, the East Side and at 167 West 72nd Street, a few blocks from my apartment. He's listed at (718) 875- 3131. He makes a custom earpiece that easily fits into my ear canal. The actual hearing aid is hidden behind my ear.
The Siemens Centra Active is water-resistant so my sweating or a hot humid day will not affect its performance. The clip-on microphone cover protects it from water damage and other liquids. I recharge the batteries every evening. My remote control device allows me to change the settings and volume.
The Centra Active has a computer chip that converts the incoming sound into digital code, then analyzes and adjusts the sound based on your hearing loss and listening needs. The signals are then converted back into sound waves and delivered to your ears. It took a few weeks for me to test the hearing aid and have it adjusted for ambient noise, crowded restaurants and lots of people all talking at once. I wondered why hearing aids are not covered by Medicare as this set me back $4,500 for the pair.
Has it helped? Only time will tell. Can you hear me now?
I wish I could still play basketball but my back, ankle and knee will not cooperate. I still ride both my bicycles (outdoors and stationary). My mind still functions although some people would say poorly. I have no problems sleeping and my appetite is fine. I teach at two universities; write about 50 travel, wine and spirit stories a year; broadcast on XM Satellite Radio and travel outside my home base at least 12 times a year. I have acupuncture, body cleansing, message therapy and yoga instructors come to my place to keep my joints moving. I still have a full head of hair.
Here it is 2008 and I seem to be having hearing problems. First my left ear. The doctors clean out wax buildup and test my hearing. There is a slight loss in the left ear. See us in a few months. It doesn’t get better and suddenly the right ear seems to be effected. Back to the doctor for more tests. “It’s time for a hearing aid.” Those dreaded words hit me hard. I am old. What is left to go (that went a while ago)? I resist; I ask people to repeat themselves; I lean forward and strain to hear, especially in a crowded room. I tell my students that I have water in my ears and need them to speak up.
The day finally comes. I make an appointment with a chain operation nearby. Big mistake. They test me and fit me for a pair of hearing aids. I go home and realize I can’t fit them into my ear because I have large hands (with some arthritis). I return them the next day. On top of that when I checked the internet I find the same hearing aids available at 50% less. I finally realized I need a local audiologist who understands what type of aid I need and will be available to talk to or see me if I have a problem. Dr. Dennis Kisiel is just such a person. He practices in Brooklyn, the East Side and at 167 West 72nd Street, a few blocks from my apartment. He's listed at (718) 875- 3131. He makes a custom earpiece that easily fits into my ear canal. The actual hearing aid is hidden behind my ear.
The Siemens Centra Active is water-resistant so my sweating or a hot humid day will not affect its performance. The clip-on microphone cover protects it from water damage and other liquids. I recharge the batteries every evening. My remote control device allows me to change the settings and volume.
The Centra Active has a computer chip that converts the incoming sound into digital code, then analyzes and adjusts the sound based on your hearing loss and listening needs. The signals are then converted back into sound waves and delivered to your ears. It took a few weeks for me to test the hearing aid and have it adjusted for ambient noise, crowded restaurants and lots of people all talking at once. I wondered why hearing aids are not covered by Medicare as this set me back $4,500 for the pair.
Has it helped? Only time will tell. Can you hear me now?