Hearing aids
were the things
I’ve worn
most of my life.
It didn’t mean
I understood the sounds
the noises
the voices
the bells
only
the bangs
the booms
and no whistles.
Earmolds
were impressions
of the impairment –
the sweaty itchiness
the obnoxious feedbacks
the waxy ugliness—
Oh, how we bitched
But nobody ever bitched
about those who were
wearing hearing aids.
Cochlear Implant
was the thing
the surgeon
had to do.
Hearing things
that I’ve never heard
most of my life
since my first hearing aid as a baby
would make every bit of difference.
I’m beginning
understand
the new sounds
though
I may never
hear everything –
still it’s better than the hearing aid.
Still,
those who never
tried
bitched –
thinking I’m now
like a hearing person.
By Curt Robbins