Donation protected
I knew I had hearing loss before the COVID19 pandemic. It was recommended to me to get hearing aids in both ears years ago. However, now that everyone wears a mask that muffles their words and also hides their lips, I've discovered how much I'm struggling to hear speech at normal volume. I didn't realize how much I depended on lip reading to help me hear until I couldn't see anyone's mouth anymore.
I am a children's librarian and children can be difficult to understand sometimes even without hearing loss. I also have to be able to hear people at work to take down names to find their requests or library card numbers. Many people think they have to be extra quiet in the library, which makes this even worse. I struggle to understand many words on a daily basis and have to try to decode what people are actually saying. Many times, I've had to have people write things down for me. I have had coworkers try to tell me something more than once and then give up in frustration when I still can't understand them. When coworkers are talking together (socially distanced) and sharing funny stories, I miss 90% of what they are saying unless they speak very loudly and enunciate. When I ask people to repeat their information at work, they get closer to me so I can hear them better, or take off their mask. This puts me at greater risk of infection.
I'm a single parent who has worked her way from being homeless to being a homeowner slowly over the last 20 years. I do have medical insurance through my work, but insurance will not cover hearing aids. (Yeah, I had a different picture of my kids and I, but I was told to change it, LOL.)
I had a recent hearing test that is valid until February 14th, 2021. When I met with them to discuss my results and talk about possible hearing aids, I was presented with what the audiologist thought would be the best option for me. I have a curve in the frequencies I hear at, and most standard hearing aids would make the upper ends of the curve unbearably loud in order to make the bottom of the curve loud enough for me to hear well. Any sound above the line or near the line in the photos are difficult for me to hear at normal conversation volume. This is without words being masked and muffled as they are now.
To get the hearing aids for both ears that would be best for me, that would have a care plan for the next three years and that could last me up to seven years, I need $4900.
I don't know how long people will be needing to wear masks to protect themselves and others. I don't know when I'll be able to be in a busy restaurant during dinner rush. I don't know when I'll get to sing together with the littlest patrons during storytime. But I know that life will be easier, better and richer if I can hear what's going on. If I get any help at all with getting these, I'd be really so very grateful.
Thanks for your time!
I am a children's librarian and children can be difficult to understand sometimes even without hearing loss. I also have to be able to hear people at work to take down names to find their requests or library card numbers. Many people think they have to be extra quiet in the library, which makes this even worse. I struggle to understand many words on a daily basis and have to try to decode what people are actually saying. Many times, I've had to have people write things down for me. I have had coworkers try to tell me something more than once and then give up in frustration when I still can't understand them. When coworkers are talking together (socially distanced) and sharing funny stories, I miss 90% of what they are saying unless they speak very loudly and enunciate. When I ask people to repeat their information at work, they get closer to me so I can hear them better, or take off their mask. This puts me at greater risk of infection.
I'm a single parent who has worked her way from being homeless to being a homeowner slowly over the last 20 years. I do have medical insurance through my work, but insurance will not cover hearing aids. (Yeah, I had a different picture of my kids and I, but I was told to change it, LOL.)
I had a recent hearing test that is valid until February 14th, 2021. When I met with them to discuss my results and talk about possible hearing aids, I was presented with what the audiologist thought would be the best option for me. I have a curve in the frequencies I hear at, and most standard hearing aids would make the upper ends of the curve unbearably loud in order to make the bottom of the curve loud enough for me to hear well. Any sound above the line or near the line in the photos are difficult for me to hear at normal conversation volume. This is without words being masked and muffled as they are now.
To get the hearing aids for both ears that would be best for me, that would have a care plan for the next three years and that could last me up to seven years, I need $4900.
I don't know how long people will be needing to wear masks to protect themselves and others. I don't know when I'll be able to be in a busy restaurant during dinner rush. I don't know when I'll get to sing together with the littlest patrons during storytime. But I know that life will be easier, better and richer if I can hear what's going on. If I get any help at all with getting these, I'd be really so very grateful.
Thanks for your time!
Organizer
Kristi Madron
Organizer
Charlotte, NC