Getting an EARFUL

The handicap of deafness is not in the ear; it is in the mind. Actress and activist Marlee Matlin, who was deaf from early childhood.

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Over the past few months, I am being warned and mildly admonished by my better half that I am probably suffering from incipient deafness; “Deaf as a doorpost” being a frequent refrain. Consistent with the stand taken by most people who are ‘accused’ of being hard of hearing, I am in stout denial mode. “What me, deaf? Why don’t you speak clearly instead of mumbling to yourself?” To which the good wife’s response is swift. “This morning, I asked you to bring down the Venetian vase from the top shelf of the kitchen cupboard. And what have I got? The medicine box. And not for the first time. We need to consult an ENT specialist.”

Anyhow, I have been successfully, if unwisely, putting off this visit to the ENT practitioner for some time now, but it seems that the sands of time are running out. The chickens are coming home to roost. The issue was precipitated a few nights ago when my wife asked me if I would like the fan to be put on at the speed of 2. I was probably half asleep as I replied, “Yes you may switch the lights off, if you wish.” The explanation that I was half asleep carried no conviction. I thought she said something about a deaf adder under her breath. Tough to pick up verbal nuances when you are just about to drop off.