The holidays for most people involves many people in a small space and lots of noise. For me that equals isolation. More people equates to more noise which equates to more difficulty in understanding. Add that to the chaos of gifts being open, wrappers crinkling, music playing in the background, and I'm lucky if I can follow any of the conversations.
I've learned the skills of sitting and nodding, smiling absently, and only asking for clarification when it's absolutely necessary.
Therefore I prefer a quiet and small holiday setting. It's hard to come across these settings as families continue to grow and the important members swell. At least during the December holidays I'll have a gift or two to open and play with when my ears give out on me.
As for the Q-tips: Knowing that I would be quitting come Jan 1 I went back to using them this past week. I tried to be gentle but I know that is still not enough. Since I'm home today and feeling a cold coming on I may not even wear my hearing aids today. If I don't wear them for two days in a row that should decrease on the moisture and will hopefully make the transition easier. If I do wear my hearing aids today rest assured they will be off prior to midnight so that I can have one last enjoyable swabbing.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
New Year’s Resolution:
I am a week early but I feel it’s time to start planning my New Year’s Resolution. Overall I plan to be more motivated, since this will affect all areas of my life and not just a simple resolution that is so easy to break. I do have two specific resolutions in addition:
1) To be better with this blog. It has been running on almost E practically since I started. So my plan for 2009 is to write one entry a week, or at least 2 entries per month. Check in and see how I do, this will be one resolution that will be blatantly obvious when it fails.
2) To quit using Q-tips. I had almost succeeded a month ago. I had been sick and not worn my hearing aids for several days, therefore the grease content of my ears was relatively mild. But I do love the feeling of a Q-tip right after taking my hearing aids off and I fell back into my bad habit rather quickly. Fast forward to today where I have irritated my right ear so badly I can’t wear my hearing aid. To add insult to injury I have my annual physical this afternoon and am destined to receive a lecture from my doctor once she looks into my ears.
My Q-tip addiction will be a struggle. With no disrespect to smokers I equate it to breaking the nicotine addiction. For a smoker they enjoy smoking but need to stop due to health reasons (or a variety of other reasons I am sure). For me I enjoy Q-tips but am obviously hurting myself in the process and need to stop. I am giving myself a week to try and stop, but come January 1st I plan on going cold turkey.
I’m sure a great deal of my January entries will be related to Q-tip withdrawal. My biggest issue is that even if I don’t use Q-tips I will often stick my fingers in my ears. I may need to purchase gloves to wear inside the house.
A Happy Holidays to all who may be reading. Wish me luck as I begin this journey. Luck is also needed in getting my right ear able to wear it’s hearing aid so that I can hear and enjoy the holidays.
1) To be better with this blog. It has been running on almost E practically since I started. So my plan for 2009 is to write one entry a week, or at least 2 entries per month. Check in and see how I do, this will be one resolution that will be blatantly obvious when it fails.
2) To quit using Q-tips. I had almost succeeded a month ago. I had been sick and not worn my hearing aids for several days, therefore the grease content of my ears was relatively mild. But I do love the feeling of a Q-tip right after taking my hearing aids off and I fell back into my bad habit rather quickly. Fast forward to today where I have irritated my right ear so badly I can’t wear my hearing aid. To add insult to injury I have my annual physical this afternoon and am destined to receive a lecture from my doctor once she looks into my ears.
My Q-tip addiction will be a struggle. With no disrespect to smokers I equate it to breaking the nicotine addiction. For a smoker they enjoy smoking but need to stop due to health reasons (or a variety of other reasons I am sure). For me I enjoy Q-tips but am obviously hurting myself in the process and need to stop. I am giving myself a week to try and stop, but come January 1st I plan on going cold turkey.
I’m sure a great deal of my January entries will be related to Q-tip withdrawal. My biggest issue is that even if I don’t use Q-tips I will often stick my fingers in my ears. I may need to purchase gloves to wear inside the house.
A Happy Holidays to all who may be reading. Wish me luck as I begin this journey. Luck is also needed in getting my right ear able to wear it’s hearing aid so that I can hear and enjoy the holidays.
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