This is an opinion column.
I’m here today to talk to you about hearing loss.
What?
I SAID I’M HERE TODAY TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT HEARING LOSS.
What? We’re NEARING SLOSS? We’re FEARING FLOSS?
No, no, no. HEARING LOSS..
Hearing loss happens to all of us getting older. It makes you feel left out because you can’t hear what they are saying behind your back anymore.
I went to Costco to get some hearing aids but they took one look at my ears (two looks actually) and said I need to go see an ENT (Ear Nose and Throat doctor). So I did. I’m supposed to put drops in my ears for a few days and go back next week to get rid of what was called an ‘occlusion.’
I understand that to be packed-in ear wax.
So gross. I’m writing about my own ear wax.
Hey Oliver don’t you write about music?
My answer: Hmmmm. Hearing loss and rock music. Wonder how that might be related?
Yes it is documented that loud music – just like loud construction noise, can be harmful to hearing.
My ears rang for days after the Who concert in the 1980s in Atlanta.
The music at concerts may not be as loud as it was in my day with the Who, Black Sabbath, AC/DC and KISS making ears bleed from coast to coast. Punk rock. Loud.
Healthline.com reports that long exposures to sounds over 85 decibels (dB) can cause hearing loss. Concerts tend to be about 115 dB or more, Healthline says.
Old man tip: Wear earplugs to concerts.
It’s like using sunscreen at the beach, a must do.
Don’t wait until you’re 50 to do it. Put them in now so you won’t have to put hearing aids in later. (Price check: Hearing aids are expensive like $3,000 to $12,000 for a pair.)
Young ears brutalized by decibels turn into deaf ears as you age. Besides the ‘occlusion’ I also have nerve damage. Do I need hearing aids? Stay tuned I’ll find out next week.
Now back to my vinyl records – or known by another name: Wax.
Mike Oliver who has Lewy body dementia often writes about living with that disease and other health and aging issues.. See his blog here.