He Who Will Hear, Let Him Hear

I went to my fitting for my trial hearing aids two days ago. My hearing loss is moderate. Some people with my degree of loss like and want hearing aids, but about half do not. The audiologist had just received this brand new product and first had to hook them to the computer which would program my specific hearing needs into the trial aids. Unfortunately, the audiologist could not get the tiny link to click in place. After half an hour, I asked her if I could try. It took me a few minutes but I got it. I was feeling pretty accomplished for an old half-deaf lady!

She programmed the aids and put them in my ears. What I noticed immediately is that the world is a VERY noisy place. Who knew? She left for a moment to get some paperwork, and I heard a very loud and distracting sound, somewhat water like, but loud.

When she returned, I told her I thought I was hearing some sort of feedback, but that it sounded like water.

“It is water,” she told me, “They turned on the faucet in the other room.”

It was at that moment that I realized I had been missing a world of sound.

She  warned me that because there were many sounds I had been missing, I might find some sounds almost alarming, like a toilet flushing or dishes clanging.She told me I might find myself startling at common sounds that I had never heard so clearly before.

She instructed me in how to adjust the volume, put the aids in and take them out, and then sent me on my way.

I got in my car and turned it on. I almost jumped through the roof. Since when did cars make so many sounds?!!! Then I switched on the radio. I could understand the lyrics! I don't know the lyrics to any song because I have never been able to decipher what they say. I thought they all were just mumbling. Now I realize I just couldn't hear them!

During our dinner time show of Star Trek reruns, I told my husband to turn down the volume. Everyone was shouting. He laughed at me. He said it was quieter than we had ever  set the volume.

The real test was talking to my teenager. I haven't understood a single word she has said for about three years. In fact, she is the one that insisted I needed a hearing aid and regularly reminds me. Sometimes she will subtly leave hearing aid advertisements lying on the end table by my recliner.

“How was school today?” I asked.

“Fine,” she said.

I heard her the first time. It is a miracle.

Then, in the morning during our devotional time, I didn't have to ask her to repeat a single sentence. Normally, I lip read and have to continually tell her to speak more clearly.

I went on a run and was shocked at the cacophony of sounds. I could hear millions of birds! I had no idea how much I had been missing! Or was this an unusual morning for birds to be out singing in profusion?

I remembered my days before knowing God. I didn't come to accept Jesus as Lord until I was 29 years old. He had been calling to me, I realize now in retrospect, for all 29 of those years. However, I had not heard Him. My ears were just fine, but my heart was closed to His entreaties. Now, as a believer for nearly 30 years, I hear Him all over the place. Everywhere I turn, there is God speaking, clear as a bell, with messages as beautiful and profuse as birds singing in the morning.

I may have to keep the hearing aids....

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Psalm 103: 20

20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!

Ezekiel 3: 27

27 But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God. ' He who will hear, let him hear; and he who will refuse to hear, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house.

Psalm 105: 3-6

3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
4 Seek the Lord and his strength;
 seek his presence continually!
5 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
6 O offspring of Abraham, his servant,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones!