As I have posted previously, I developed permanent hearing loss as a result of chemotherapy in 2006. Unfortunately, my hearing loss has gotten worse. On my hearing test in 2019, I could comprehend roughly 75% of the spoken word. However, on a repeat hearing test this year, my word comprehension had decreased to about 45%. Perhaps, this loss was due to aging (I wouldn't think so in that I don't consider myself elderly) or some other reason. Consequently, the audiologist increased my hearing aid reception to adjust for this loss. I don't believe I will ever progress to being totally deaf but bilateral hearing aids are an ever present help in my time of trouble.
On the flip side, at the urging of my youngest daughter who is matriculating to being an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter (and she's quite good at it, by the way), I am now learning sign language through an online program. Why you may ask? It's hard to explain but this education appears to be a fire in my bones that I should learn ASL. Maybe I'm being prepared in case I ever go totally deaf. Perhaps I'm being called to some sort of ministry to the deaf in the future. I do know that using ASL at church when I'm singing seems to enhance my worship. I feel more engaged in the songs of praise. So, at least for now, I'm seeing some current benefit.
This reminds me of Philippians 3:7 where Paul says, "But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ." Afterwards, in Philippians 3:8 he describes how he had given up some of his greatest achievements in order to gain the "surpassing value of knowing Christ." How true! As I've gotten older, I've come to recognize more acutely how life involves many trade-offs. I labor intensively at work so I can get the bi-weekly paycheck to pay my bills and provide for household expenses. I go running on the parkway periodically to keep my body relatively healthy. I visit my healthcare providers regularly who use their skills to poke and prod all aspects of my body to ward off major sickness. All in all, such sacrifices are worth the benefits in the long run.
Similarly, I can relate with my hearing woes, notably one of the greatest losses of my life. Although it pains me to have diminished audible comprehension (even with state of the art hearing aids), incredibly I have discovered the joy of American Sign Language, a sign for my times.
