Hearing Aids for Me

 

While in Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne in June 2024 for 4 1/2 days, I was given an IV with ceftriaxone. I left the hospital with a midline in my arm and a supply of the drug to do home infusion.

When I arrived home from the hospital, the first thing I did was to use the toilet. The flushing sounded so quiet. The next day I had my hair cut by my rather boisterous stylist. She seemed softer in her speaking. I realized that my hearing was muffled. 

The muffled sensation went away after several weeks, but I do believe I suffered diminished hearing from the drug. That is not a common side effect of ceftriaxone, but there are cases of people realizing permanent hearing loss.

I got along pretty well, but during my Bible study group discussions this past year I had trouble hearing folks as we sat in a large circle of 17 people. Some ladies were too-soft spoken and others also indicated they had trouble. I started sitting closer and closer to the discussion leader to make sure I wasn't missing out. 

I was thinking of going to Costco for testing this summer. Then I received in the mail a brochure about United Healthcare Advantage Plan covering a free test and also paying some of the cost of the hearing aids if needed. There were a couple of places in Warsaw that would do the hearing.

I went to Dr. Engleberth's Hearing Center. When the testing was finished, I was surprised to learn I had moderately severe hearing loss.

United Healthcare has its own proprietary brand of hearing aids called Relate. They are made by Sonovo who also makes Phonak hearing aids. I had 3 levels of Relate products from which to choose, the co-payment increasing at each level as the sophistication of the product increased. I chose the mid-level Relate. My co-pay was $850. I was pleased to hear that they were rechargeable, and I would not be fussing with tiny batteries.

Today I was fitted with my new hearing aids. Some noises are kind of annoying. The rumble of big trucks for example. Right now as I type this post, I cannot believe the loud clacking of the computer keyboard.

 I have 60 days to decide if the Relate product meets my needs. In that timeframe, I can upgrade to a more costly product or I can return them for a refund. Besides the Relate products, one can choose certain brand-name hearing aids but of course the insurance benefit is less as they are more expensive. I think the top tier brand product offered with UHC was about $3000 co-pay. 

The Relate pair I bought have a 3-year warranty. The audiologist said they advise people to send the hearing aids to the manufacturer for an overhaul shortly before the expiration. The rechargeable feature usually only lasts about 3 years. The advice for individuals replacing their hearing aids is about 5-7 years. I shall see how well I adapt.

 By the way, I probably do not have benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). We tried the Epley maneuver once with little improvement. I was given some vestibular exercises to do and saw improvement from doing those. I suspect my deteriorated cervical spine/neck is the cause of my lightheadedness, not a problem in the ear. There is something called cervicogenic dizziness whose description more closely matches my symptoms. My lightheadedness is mostly gone, but I have had a few instances which I see might be related to certain head positions. People with BPPV usually have a spinning sensation when they move which I never had. 

Zinnias, Blueberries, and a Toad

 

I bought this little bouquet of zinnias from the Winona Lake Farmers' Market this morning. I don't think I have seen it so busy at the market.

The pie lady was there this week (she said every 2nd and 4th Saturday). She did not have many small pies. I ended up with a peach pie. I also bought some green beans for tonight's supper.

Before lunch, I went to Sweet Corn Charlie's where I bought a 10-pound box of blueberries. They only had one left. The good news is that the price is now $40 instead of $45. I will be washing them and putting them in small freezer bags so we can enjoy them in the autumn, winter, and usually a bit into spring. 

This morning as I was about to step through my patio door after watering my new plants, I saw a brown lump next to the door. Mr. Toad! I cannot remember seeing a toad in the 15 years I have lived in my condo. 

He is about as long as my thumb but at least 3 times fatter.

I told the Grace Village landscaper/gardener that I was tired of pulling weeds and deadheading plants. My neighbor has rocks covering her plot with a bush planted in the middle. Steve said he would prefer to put mulch down rather than rocks. I said OK. I now have a spindly Russian sage with little purple flowers. Unknown to me, he also planted some ground cover: chocolate chip ajuga. Next year it should spread more and the bush should get bigger. I have been watering the plants some because our rain has been sporadic. 

We have had some nice days lately. Yesterday we ate our lunch sitting in our rockers on the front porch. Alas, starting tomorrow it heats up and supposedly the smoky haze will return in August. 

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

 Starting June 24th, I was bothered with lightheadedness and a weird feeling that my head was going to float away. I upped my water consumption because I know dehydration can cause problems. July 2nd, 3rd, and 4th I felt fine; but then the lightheadedness started up again slightly worse than before. I did not have vertigo (things spinning around) but a persistent lightheadedness. 

I noticed that my diastolic blood pressure was pretty low. I stopped taking my diuretic, just took the ACE inhibitor. The blood pressure went higher, but the lightheadedness remained. I tried to see my primary care doctor, but she is not available until October. They had me come in to see the NP instead. Friday a work order was faxed for the Epley maneuver.

Today I went to the physical therapy department at Grace Village where I live. The therapist did some tests. I did test positive for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo on the left side. I will have the Epley maneuver done Friday afternoon. 

BPPV happens when otoliths (crystals) that are in the inner ear move out of position into the ear canal. It confuses the brain making it think there is movement going on when there is not. 

The Epley maneuver does some strange turning and positioning of the head to try to get that crystal to go back where it belongs. It is actually quite successful most of the time.

 I do not feel safe driving so I have curtailed my activities quite a bit. Hopefully soon I will no longer be a dizzy dame. 

Winona Lake Farmer's Market Today

 

A nice cool cloudy day to visit the Winona Lake Farmers' Market today. Just 76 degrees this morning.

I splurged on a larger bouquet. Bought some green beans and two chocolate peanut butter cupcakes. Unfortunately, I dropped the cupcake container so no photo. We will have to scrape some of the frosting off of the plastic.

We stopped at Sweet Corn Charlie's on the way home. Bought a southern cantaloupe (what the sign said) and two peaches also from the southern United States. The peaches will need to ripen up a bit more. The vendor had sweet corn. I think we will go back Monday and buy half a dozen.

 I was shocked at the price for a box of blueberries. Last year I paid $35 per box. This year they are $45 per box. I asked the manager if he thought the price might come down in the next few weeks as the crop peaks. He said he doubted it. Something more to remind us that we are paying more and more for food.