There's Still Life in the Old Man

My husband is a few (ahem) years older than I. Anything over ten years older qaulifies for the ahem. He's a vibrrant, funny fellow who never rests when there is teasing to be done. He knows current events, is a professional man who owns his own business and he reads at least three books a week. He has only one serious flaw. He's losing his hearing.

At times his hearing loss makes him seem a little obtuse. I watch in fear because my hearing aint' what is used to be either. Without any discussion we' ve worked out a few hand signals that come in handy in the car where the noise makes it impossible for him to hear my whimpy voice. I have to admit that it is more than exasperating to try to be understood, especially when a timely lane change on the freeway is involved.

I accompanied hubby to a well known cataract-laser surgery center today. He was having surgery to correct his near sightedness and astigmitism. We arrived at the center thirty minutes early as we were advised. This took some doing since we live three hours away. They took us from room to room doing measurments, asking questions, giving information about the surgery. All very pleasant, very professional. One of the assistants had a very soft voice and Hubby had a difficult time understanding her at first. When she left the room I made a comment about his hearing. She must have heard me.

The next person who came in the room was a doctor whose role in the process wasn't explained. She introduced herself and I couldn't believe what came next. She got right in hubby's face and started talking really loud. That was okay but she talked to him like she didn't expect him to understand. Like you'd talk to a four year old who was about to go outside to play. "Do you understand why you must wear a jacket, Little Johnny?" He glared at her, not because he couldn't understand. He was readying to tell her to shove her condesention up her little butt. She was the one who didn't get it.

I was burning but I didn't say anything. I wondered if she treated everyone that way. Hubby was clearly miffed and embarassed.

I have a solution. Maybe on one of the ten forms the patients fill out for eye surgery they could ask if the patient has problems with hearing.

Seems simple. Unlike my hubby.