My grandfather has been deaf as a doorknob for as long as I can remember. When his hearing began to decline, I'm guessing the whole idea of wearing a hearing aid didn't exactly coordinate with his powder blue three-piece suit and white patent leather shoes. He never wanted to admit his hearing was an issue for that would mean admitting he was indeed aging with the rest of us. Fast forward 3 decades and the man can't hardly hear a thing. Though I have to admit there are times that I question this...there are times when he follows my directions just perfectly. Grantid, it took a half dozen attempts and my best attempt to use some poor form of sign language (more like Charades). Nonetheless, if I could find a way to restore even a portion of his hearing, that would be so wonderful. Here's the hitch...there aint no way he is going to cooperate for a hearing test. I shake my head even typing about it. Maybe, on a really good day, and if I brought chocolate, I could PERHAPS get him inclined to do it...but I am not feeling confident about it.
I researched some options online...alternatives to the "raise your hand if you hear this" test. Seems there is a test that measures the brain activity of hearing. I was interested to learn more. Also, instead of the traditional hearing aid, there is an option of an implant. I was interested in this for sure. I read more..."It is a surgical procedure". Well, perfect...put the man to sleep and he'll wake up hearing the birds chirpping outside the window. Not that easy. The audiologist won't administer the test outside the hospital. If you don't recall his reaction to the hospital in July, you can go back and read about it. I can't do that to him again. Ho-hum.
I asked the social worker at the nursing home about other doctors in the area who could perform this test at the nursing home. I was told she would look into our options and get back to me...If I have options, I will figure a way to make it work...
James was pleasant as a peach again today. He was napping, though stirring, when the nurse needed to take his picture for the file. I nudged him gently and he looked right at me. When I extended my hand to him to help him sit up, he followed my lead. After smoothing down his hair, he smiled for the camera. Later, he helped me sort hangers and cooperated, without a fuss, when I needed take care of some housekeeping issues in the room. It was so nice, really very nice.
It's still so hard for me to believe, to even begin to comprehend, how someone could let these defenseless people starve, go without bathing, sit in their own waste, allow their home to deteriorate to a complete loss, and regularly take their money...It is beyond me and breaks my heart. I thank God that was not the end of their story and that they have the opportunity to live in comfort and peace without a worry in the world.
I researched some options online...alternatives to the "raise your hand if you hear this" test. Seems there is a test that measures the brain activity of hearing. I was interested to learn more. Also, instead of the traditional hearing aid, there is an option of an implant. I was interested in this for sure. I read more..."It is a surgical procedure". Well, perfect...put the man to sleep and he'll wake up hearing the birds chirpping outside the window. Not that easy. The audiologist won't administer the test outside the hospital. If you don't recall his reaction to the hospital in July, you can go back and read about it. I can't do that to him again. Ho-hum.
I asked the social worker at the nursing home about other doctors in the area who could perform this test at the nursing home. I was told she would look into our options and get back to me...If I have options, I will figure a way to make it work...
James was pleasant as a peach again today. He was napping, though stirring, when the nurse needed to take his picture for the file. I nudged him gently and he looked right at me. When I extended my hand to him to help him sit up, he followed my lead. After smoothing down his hair, he smiled for the camera. Later, he helped me sort hangers and cooperated, without a fuss, when I needed take care of some housekeeping issues in the room. It was so nice, really very nice.
It's still so hard for me to believe, to even begin to comprehend, how someone could let these defenseless people starve, go without bathing, sit in their own waste, allow their home to deteriorate to a complete loss, and regularly take their money...It is beyond me and breaks my heart. I thank God that was not the end of their story and that they have the opportunity to live in comfort and peace without a worry in the world.