This one definitely ranks right up there…
We went to a little town in Quebec just west of Montreal called Beaconsfield where my nephew and his family live, for a family reunion.
I actually thought it was going to be easier to read the French and try to figure out what it means than listen to them. It turned out to be the opposite. I have this little sign that says “Driver is Hearing Impaired” courtesy of the Erie County Sheriff and the Office of the Disabled. 
It turns out that I was able to understand the Canadian Customs Officer quite clearly and answer her questions, to the best of my knowledge. And vice versa for the U.S. Customs on the way back. I remember when I was wearing my hearing aid and having to clear customs at the Buffalo border, either way, was a 50/50 proposition…between interrogation and getting through!
Now for the CI moment…and it wasn’t the French accent. On the way back, we were stopped at a traffic light when I thought I heard noise. Listening carefully, it was hip-hop music coming from the ear buds of my sons iPod. I was so floored I actually had to ask just to confirm the “noise”! If I could hear it with my CI-corrected 5% loss, imagine what it is doing to Mike’s ears. Poor kid…I guess I am going to have to donate my used hearing aids to him.
Yea, my kids and their friends do that, too. I keep telling them they are going to end up with hearing aids and cochlear implants someday if they don’t turn their music down!
Wow!! That’s really incredible, Sam!! I’m impressed!!! I wish I had one of those cards…I was watching Cops one time and they pulled over a Hispanic man and were shouting at him and he obviously didn’t understand them. They weren’t very cooperative with him…I thought that was sad…and it made me a little nervous thinking that if I were ever pulled over, I know I’d have no idea what, if anything, they’d shout over the bullhorn. Perhaps I should just try staying out of trouble ;).
Running? I’m workin’ on it, Sam, I am…but I wear out too easy. Maybe I’m eating the wrong stuff? or wearing the wrong shoes? or somethin’? And my ankle is killing me. I meant to ask you about that…it’s at the top of my foot, just above the ankle, and it’s a ligament or tendon or something that runs down to the big toe…and it is bugging the snot out of me. Any suggestions?
It might be shoes, if they don’t fit right. Next time you buy some, go to a place where the sales person knows what he/she is talking about, make sure you get fit right, and run a little in the shoes before you buy them. (I don’t always take my own advice, so I have three of four new pair I’ll never run in…).
Maybe you’re trying to do too much too soon? If you get too tired, try going a little (just a little) slower. You might find you can go a lot longer. If you have to walk in the middle of the run, that’s ok. Just get out there, there will be enough time to work on speed (if you want to) later.
Sam – nice race on Wednesday!
Greg
I actually did this about 15 years ago:
http://beethovensears.com/2007/08/04/the-gospel-of-hearing-aids/
It’s more difficult when it’s your son, though!
Cindy