A HEARING IMPAIRMENT
replied, so that I can read. She just looked at me, then said, I rest my case.
So, on her recommendation, I consulted an audiologist in Canberra, and she
tested my hearing which was severely depleted in one ear and partially in the
other. She prescribed hearing aids, which I picked up the following week. The
difference in my ability to hear every day sounds, was amazing. I could hear
birds singing and the indicators in the car, which I was not able to hear before.
I couldn’t believe the difference.
A few weeks ago, I came to church without my hearing aids, as, in my hurry to
get to church, I had left them on my bedside table. The church service that day
was a completely frustrating experience. I moved to the front of the church to
try to hear the service, but even that was not very effective. I am able to
lip-read people when they are in front of me, but that’s not always effective. If
someone is talking to me, then turns and walks away, still talking, those words
are completely lost on me. These are things which people need to be aware of.
I totally depend on my hearing aids, and hope I am never without them. And I
thank God for sparing me, back in 1994 and for the ever improving technology
which enables people like me to live life, hearing everything around them.
- Robyn Swadling-Rope
Editor: Readers with hearing impairment might find the Deafness Forum
magazine “One in Six” helpful reading. A free subscription can be
arranged at:
http://www.deafnessforum.org.au/subscribe-one-six
St Margaret's News
11
September 2017