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Blogs by Elizabeth W Towles
An Ace In The Hole 8/25/2016 8:40:44 AM
It used to be when I was out shopping and had my children with me, conversations were easily started with other shoppers. My children are grown now and live out west. However, for the last couple of years I have an ace in the hole...Precious. During the last five years I increasingly lost my ability to hear. I dealt with it by watching the face of the person I was talking with and paying close attention to the placement of their lips and the expression sitting in their eyes.
Three years ago, I finally admitted that I had a hearing problem. I went for five screenings before I found an audiologist I was comfortable with. I was diagnosed with having an impairment of 90% of my hearing. Each screening had revealed the same amount of hearing loss. For a year I had aids with over the ear and the amplification unit in the entrance of my ears. After one year, I had to get molds done to cover the inside of the ear canal so that all the sounds went inside my ears. The reception became much better. However, I can't always identify what I'm hearing. That will never change because I also hear my body sounds and when I chew the noise inside my mouth is amplified in my head! WOW!
I have a small pomeranian dog who has been documented to be my Hearing Assistant Service Dog. My audiologist helped me with the papers and Precious can go with me wherever I go. I have a picture ID and service collar to put around her neck. She is my ace in the hole. She alerts me by the movements of her ears. In the stores, her eyes will scan the inside and the people nearby. I watch her ears for an alert that signifies caution. She is the one who draws attention now. She is also on the cover of my last two books, The House On Sunflower Road and The Long Night Moon. When I am out with Precious, people ask about her and of course, I always finish my answers with saying she is on the back cover of my books.
Today I was at Office Depot getting photos done for my book covers. In my bedroom I have one wall with all of my book covers, as well as my other writing certificates and awards. Two ladies stopped to ask about Precious. After a short time, I told them she was on my book covers and that led to my mention of my most recent books. Precious is better than advertising...the people leave with remembering her face and the picture of us together on the back cover of my books.
And after all, books must be read for the characters to find a home in people's hearts. Written words are only words crowding a page until eyes give them a permit to live.
Elizabeth Towles
