I Hold My Next Vacation in My Hands

There is a high cost to be paid for being afflicted with certain conditions.

I first had my hearing tested shortly after the age of 40, when all seemed not to be as it should. It was then deduced that I didn't yet require hearing aids. Several years later, however, when a class laughed at my answer to a certain question, I knew that I had misheard the question and given an inappropriate answer.

My next hearing test revealed what I had suspected: that I was due for hearing assistance.

That was four aids ago. They only last for about five years, give or take.

The pair that I had been wearing was seven years old, and both aids had already been repaired once, and I knew the end was nigh and planned to get a new pair this year. I wasn't quick enough, however, and one device quit working before I was able to implement my plan. Oh, I could have had it repaired at a cost of $400, but they would only guarantee it for six months. On top of that, I figured the other one would likely give up the ghost at any time.

So, here's the result.



Yes, I have two new hearing devices, so I should, more or less, be set for another five years.

The price ... are you ready for this? ... $3000.

And this is the basic, no frills model. A pair of top-end hearing aids would cost at least double that amount.

It's nice that our provincial government will chip in $500 per device, but two thousand smackeroos for these little, fit-in-my-hand-easily suckers is still a mighty big expense — and one that will crop up again every five years or so until ... until you know when.

Compare one to the size of my thumb.



There is a high cost to be paid for being afflicted with certain conditions.

Consider that our first car cost slightly less than this tiny, little pair of cuties.

That's the equivalent of two round-trips to the West Coast for two ... or one very, very fine camera.

But it beats saying "Eh?"all of the time. I guess. Eh?