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From
Snorkling to Pottery: Coping with Hearing Loss
Doesn't Have to Slow You Down!
-An
Interview with Olive Ziegler
Parker
Hearing Institute: How long have known Dr. Parker?
Olive:
I’ve been going to see Dr. Parker for over 14 years,
since 1989. Probably about 30 times in all, because I have
had problems from time to time. I started out with an in-the-ear
model, and I had some ear channel problems so we went to an
over-the-ear model, which is very, very satisfactory.
PHI:
So what your life was like before you met with Dr. Parker?
Olive:
Well I think I am sort of normal in that I didn’t realize
that I had a hearing problem. My husband had been wearing
hearing aids, so I knew exactly what he was experiencing,
but I myself didn’t quite realize it. I was working at
a place where I began to realize that I wasn’t hearing
as well as some of the other people. And then my husband died
from an accident, and I was so overcome from it that I thought
I’d better wait until I was in better shape before I
went in. So yes, I really did have a hearing problem. More
than I dreamed of in fact! I was immediately fitted with an
in-the-ear model, and I was absolutely shocked at the sounds
I had been missing.
"I
was absolutely shocked at the sounds I had been missing."
PHI:
What were some of the sounds you had been missing? And what
shocked you the most?
Olive:
Well I think that, just your normal domestic sounds like your
water faucets. Just driving the car, I could tell a big difference,
and visiting with people, and talking with people. I was missing
out on a lot out there.
PHI:
Did you find yourself in social situations where you felt
like you were isolated at all?
Olive:
At the beginning I was not as bad, but as time went on, and
my hearing was getting worse, I began to feel the isolation
a little bit, and not being able to answer correctly things
that were asked or said. If I were in a group of three or
four in a restaurant, it was very difficult. But with the
hearing aids I have now, it has helped immensely.
PHI:
So how has your experience been since you met with Dr. Parker
for the first time? What has changed, and what have your experiences
been like working with Dr. Parker?
Olive:
Well I think, that Dr. Parker always has an answer for everything.
If you seem discouraged or you wonder what is happening, he
says we can fix that… he says yes we can get around that.
And if I needed any corrections, with the molds or anything,
he was always right there. He always had an answer and I always
felt comfortable telling him any kind of problems I had. And
I just think that he is a very patient soul, and I just thoroughly
enjoyed working with him! Turns out I had a tumor in the outer
canal, which caused a lot of problems because we didn’t
know it at the time. Yet, when I did find out that I had to
have surgery, he was just right there, and when it was all
healed up again, when I was ready to be tested and fitted
again, he was just tremendous through it all. It was a scary
situation there for a while. It was on the bone in the outer
ear, so it did not affect the hearing itself, except for the
fitting. That’s why we had to try a few things before.
It was important that I felt that I had someone to go to and
could really express myself with what was happening, and he
just always had an answer. He is a very comfortable person
to handle all of your problems.
PHI:
What happened the first time you met with your family or friends
after you got fitted with your first set of hearing aids?
Olive:
Well I have a granddaughter living with me, and she was delighted!
It’s been good having someone to live with me, because
she could tell me how I was doing from time to time. And she
realized she didn’t have to shout at me anymore! (laughs)
She would be so happy about it because it’s difficult
when you are living with someone and you have to talk loudly.
My whole family has been very grateful for that, and they
notice it right away, every time I get a new set of hearing
aids. Right now they are totally happy with me, because I
don’t have to have the TV on as loud as I used to. So,
yes, it’s good when you’re out in groups, and I
guess I should say in going to church it has helped me immensely,
because I know now how I can handle it. With my hearing aids,
I have a lot of choices. For music or speaking, I’m able
me to meet any situation. I am totally happy!
PHI:
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Olive:
There was kind of a humorous situation. I have gone snorkeling
with my granddaughters at different times. And we would always
go out on these little tours, and before you get out into
the water, there’s this director telling you what to
do—how to handle it and all this stuff. Well, if I took
my hearing aids out, I couldn’t hear him, so if I waited
until he said ‘OK, everybody in the water,’ I was
always the last one in! I laugh about that now because this
is a humorous part of accepting what happens when you need
a little help, you know? (laughs)
PHI:
Where have you been snorkeling?
Olive:
Well I think I have been to probably about 15 different islands.
Staying at a lot of them for about a week. Others from going
ashore on cruises. Good exotic experiences with the family,
especially with my grandchildren! I took one each time to
different places: Belize, South Pacific, Fiji, the Bahamas,
Mexico, Catalina… I can’t really name them all.
It’s made a very interesting life for me. I’ve met
people from all over the world!
PHI:
Do you still go?
Olive:
Yes, I would love to go again, but right now I can’t.
But I still like to walk the beach. I like to be near the
water. I like to have coffee with my friends and dine out.
I am also a full-time potter. And I am preparing now for one
of my big sales this next weekend. I belong to the Palos Verdes
Arts Association, where I continually learn how to do more
and more interesting things. That’s pretty much my whole
life now. But I am busy most all the time!
PHI:
Any words of wisdom or advice to anyone who thinks they might
need hearing aids?
Olive:
We really don’t know how bad our hearing is, and we think
we don’t need them. You don’t realize it because
it comes on so slowly.
"We
really don't know how bad our hearing is... because it comes
on so slowly."
PHI:
What would you say to someone contemplating going to see Dr.
Parker?
Olive:
Well, I just feel that he is very wise. He tells you everything
straight-up, and I think that’s good. Dr. Parker and
I used to talk about my snorkeling trips… it was always
a pleasure to just visit with him. I would definitely recommend
him!
PHI:
Any final thoughts you’d like to add?
Olive:
I think at first it was hard to admit that I needed hearing
aids, but now it doesn’t bother me. Just admitting that
you have come to a point in your life where this is what you
need to have is a very important first step!
Click Here to go back and read
what our other patients have had to say about us!
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