LOS ANGELES — I’m about 20 years too early to have hearing aids, but there it is. I’ve had one in my right ear since mid-2005, and six months ago had to begin wearing them in both. Each new auditory circumstance, rather than getting, “Wow, birds chirping!” often starts with, “What?”
My first movie with two aids took half the show for me to distinguish between sound effects in back and dialogue in front. We should have come early enough for the trailers.
Here at Los Angeles International Airport — My Beloved and I are heading to Ventura for the 2009 conference of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists — I walk from the gate to the terminal, turn my cell phone back on and see there’s two messages. One I can hear, the guy has a strong voice, but it’s nothing that can’t wait a week. The other I can’t make out. The screen indicates it’s a neighbor whom I e-mailed to watch the house while we’re away. Is something wrong already?
Fortunately, MB is right there, and by this time we’re outside and it’s even noisier so I hear even less. She takes the cell, and we learn the neighbor just wants to make sure someone is picking up our mail. She phones on my cell and assures him the cat sitter is taking care of everything. He’s retired and his voice soft. Would a restroom have been quiet enough for me to use the phone? No. Is there a phone booth around? Hah! MB has to phone the shuttle service for an update; I cannot.
All of which is the explainer for a disclaimer. This weekend I write from the Ventura Crowne Plaza, reporting what I hear experts say about columns, newspapers and writing in general.
Or what I think I hear. Others are posting their thoughts as well. Go to the NSNC Web site and scroll to “Blogging the Conference” and check them out. The search engine of your choice will bring you other links.
