Hearing Sense

I am very thankful for God's blessings because I almost got deaf. I had an accident 9 years ago back home. Actually, my daughter wanted to surprise me. She was only 5 years old then. She told me to lean to her and that she was going to give me a surprise. She even made me close my eyes. Of course, who would ever resist a child's very sweet and loving request?  I gladly obliged and next thing I new, I heard a very loud "toot" on my right ear. I remember crying in pain and actually heard continuous ringing in my ear after she blew a horn to my right ear. Then suddenly, all I was hearing was muffled and faint sounds. I knew she didn't mean to. Then I had fever the day after and my ears bled. I knew that wasn't good.

I had to see an ear specialist because I couldn't hear anything on the right side. I was constantly tripping and had difficulty listening especially in a crowd where people would talk all at the same time. At one point, I had considered the use of hearing aids. I remember going to work with an ear patch because of the topical medication and ear drop. It was a bit messy and unsightly but I could care less. Having my hearing again was my main concern so if I had to walk around with some cotton balls stuck in my right ear, I would do that.

The accident left my right ear drum slightly scarred and I had to go through years of treatment to improve the hearing. I was partially deaf for 3-4 years after my daughter blew a horn to my ear. I patiently went through the treatment and felt the improvement because I can hear again. It is not 100% perfect but I settle for the fact that my hearing is back, say 70%. That's not a bad percentage!

So now, I appreciate every senses the Lord has given me because I have felt how it is to be partially handicapped. It is not easy. I have great respect for those who don't make their handicap an excuse to do the things they set their hearts on.

Different Accents

Okay, I recently posted about my hearing problem here. Here’s a nice anecdote about it which has happened to me in the office recently.

My colleagues are from various European and Australasian origin. Therefore, their accents are either too soft or hard for my sensible hearing.

I cannot help but laugh at myself because I really have to strain listening while trying to understand them when my other colleague can actually comprehend. Either my hearing is bad or I am poor to pick up (which I doubt!) or their bloody accent is just too much to comprehend. Arggghhhh…

Don’t get me wrong now. I love hearing them speak with their unique accent but when they talk fast, I can barely make-out the sense of the words spoken. For example, someone would tell me “Total time limitations” and I would only hear either the first or last word but never in full. My colleagues are already telling me to listen up. BUT I AM LISTENING!!! Waaaahhhhhhh…. Is it time for me to wear a hearing aid?!?

Listen Up

I am a good listener and I do so with fervor. Unfortunately, I became partially deaf due to my daughter’s innocent act of love (she blew a horn on my right ear) for 3 years.

It was so difficult to hear people and make out where the sound was coming from. My sense of balance was out of sync. Even crossing the street had been a great challenge. I could not tell if the motorists were honking or not.

I was a regular out-patient in the E.E.N.T for my ear check-up. That experience was really painful and challenging. Imagine being a Travel Agent and dealing with clients every single day of your life with a partial hearing condition. Difficult. I was straining my ear so hard. I often had a headache afterwards. I endured all that.

My hearing is okay now. It is not as good as it was but I can hear and that is more important.

I am more appreciative of what I have because I know how it feels to be “limited.”

Hearing Sense and Music

Just a trivia...

Did you know that the aural sense is the first to develop in the womb? I read somewhere that when you play music or listen to music while you are pregnant contributes to the intellectual development of the unborn.

Music is a tranquilizer to relieve ourselves from the noise around us. So it is very important to chose the kind of music you play in order to relax your body and mind. Classical and nature sound are normally good in setting our moods to a more laid-back and calm stage.