I always thought hearing aids were for the elderly...
August 04, 2009
Until my ear surgery from four years ago decided to fail me. Basically, my hearing bones were destroyed by a few rogue skin cells (yes, skin cells), and I had to have them replaced with a titanium prosthesis. Which is not nearly as cool as it sounds. Apparently, having a few bones replaced with titanium does not give you super-hearing, and thereby does not make you a superhero...darn.
However, a few months ago my ear decided it was tired of having the piece of titanium holding it together, and so it began to shove it back out through my eardrum. Once again, I was left with seriously damaged hearing in my left ear.
Which is really problematic for a vocal performance major with an outside field in theater. Hearing is a very important part of those things.
Today, I was once again blessed with the gift of restored hearing via a small pink triangular box with a little wire that wraps around and sits in my ear canal.
Yes, I now have a hearing aid. I used to HATE the idea of getting a hearing aid, back before my first surgery when they discussed the possibility of me needing one if the surgery failed. Mainly, it was a vanity thing. Now, however, I'm very intrigued by this tiny device that allows me to hear on my left side again. It's really incredible what they can do these days. My hearing aid is so small and inobtrusive (nothing like the giant screechy flesh-colored earplugs my grandparents wear). It sounds kind of like listening to everything through an iPod earbud. It's kind of cool, really. So I feel very lucky to have it, and I'm ashamed of my former reluctance to sacrifice a modicum of normalcy to wear a hearing aid.
In other news....
22 days and counting until I leave for college. Last weekend I went down to Bloomington and recorded two demo songs to send to a potential voice teacher. I have been contacting teachers since January, and all of their studios were full. It's been an incredibly frustrating experience. However, I think I may have finally found a teacher who is willing to take me. I have heard wonderful things about her teaching, so keep your fingers crossed for me. My life next year is really going to be stressful if I don't find a teacher that will be a good fit for me and my voice and my personality.
