Wal-Mart.

That is all.

I remember growing up in the sticks as a kid.

Walmart was a big deal. I’d never pass up a chance to go.

I may have been to a Walmart once in the last two years. That’s my solution.

But I certainly can feel your pain.

I could feel my IQ dropping as I listened to the elevator music and the mouth-breathers babbling.

Sadly, there are a few items that we can only get at WM. Next time, I'll leave my hearing aids in the car.

Like Chongo, I remember when our small town first got a Wal-mart...would have been about 1990 I think. It was a nice store, and people behaved like most other places when in there...with a certain degree of decorum and self-respect. I rmember enjoying going because every now and then mom or dad would spring for a $.50 match box car for me, or a $.25 pop from the machine out front.

These days I absolutely loathe going in there. The odiferous unwashed masses walking around in their filthy pajamas with their buttcracks hanging out, jabba the hut blocking aisles on the motorized scooter, ferral children running around creating havoc...it's like a third world country in there. To be fair, society has "evolved" to a point where that kind of stuff isn't limited to just Wal-Mart anymore, but it still feels like its kinda the epicenter.

I go there for 2 things...50lb bags of dog food, and automotive fluids, because they're cheaper than anywhere else (well, and 5" green pumpkin yamamoto senkos, if they have them, which is rare, but they're right by the oil, so it's not out of my way to check). When I do go, I fill the cart so I don't have to go back for a long time.

quote:

I could feel my IQ dropping as I listened to the elevator music and the mouth-breathers babbling.

The last time I was in ours they kept interrupting the elevator music every few minutes with this creepy monotone female voice reminding everyone to social distance and wear masks, because "we're all in this together." It felt like 1984.

Very busy restaurants might send you over the edge as well

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
Very busy restaurants might send you over the edge as well

Really busy restaurants, with live music or televised sporting events in the background so everyone feels like they have to talk even that much louder to be heard over it, is one of my least favorite settings.

Makes me wish I had hearing aids, so I could turn them off.

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
Very busy restaurants might send you over the edge as well

The Doc actually mentioned that specific scenario. She said "You'll feel like you're eavesdropping and it'll tick you off because you're trying to concentrate on what your dinner partner is saying".

Wife was, at various times, a dishwasher and a prep cook and KNOWS what goes on in restaurant kitchens. The only time we ever eat out is if we're on the road.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
Very busy restaurants might send you over the edge as well

The Doc actually mentioned that specific scenario. She said "You'll feel like you're eavesdropping and it'll tick you off because you're trying to concentrate on what your dinner partner is saying".

Wife was, at various times, a dishwasher and a prep cook and KNOWS what goes on in restaurant kitchens. The only time we ever eat out is if we're on the road.

Some hearing aids have smart phone apps that tune the hearing aids specifically for restaurants, theaters, etc. with just a quick selection.

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
Some hearing aids have smart phone apps that tune the hearing aids specifically for restaurants, theaters, etc. with just a quick selection.

You'd have to have a smartphone and know how to use it. I'm thinking of my dad in this case, not PHPaul.

Maybe the gain is set a little too high ? When I got my first set of hearing aids about eight years ago, I could hear dogs barking in the next county.
When I told the audiologist about how far away sounds were so pronounced, she made adjustments.

A guy came in for his hearing aid followup. He remarked how much better he could hear. The tech said that, by the readings, his new results were outstanding. She commented to him that his family must be thrilled.
His response,
"I haven't told them yet."
I've changed my will three times already."

quote:

Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
Maybe the gain is set a little too high ? When I got my first set of hearing aids about eight years ago, I could hear dogs barking in the next county.
When I told the audiologist about how far away sounds were so pronounced, she made adjustments.

I think the balance is off a touch as well. IMO, the left side could go down a notch and the right side could go up one or even two.

I've had them just over a week now and I'll go several hours without even noticing. I'll wait out the full 8 weeks and if I still think the levels need tweaking, I'll mention it.

quote:

Originally posted by ChuckFinley:
A guy came in for his hearing aid followup. He remarked how much better he could hear. The tech said that, by the readings, his new results were outstanding. She commented to him that his family must be thrilled.
His response,
"I haven't told them yet."
I've changed my will three times already."

They are a pain in the ass, and I've worn them since I was three.

I was born legally deaf in both volume and tone, never known "normal" hearing. And the wind, traffic, busy areas full of big mouth blabbering idiots, and especially live music so loud no real person could appreciate the tones are hellish.

No sense of distance, as the person 3 tables away sounds the same in volume as your wife or Significant other next to you.

Also, some words just will not come thru without a clear context of the subject. IE... the words Nice, Lice, Vice, Bice, Icr, ETC... I will only hear "ICE" and rely on the subject we are talking about.

One advantage is I sleep deeeeeeep... Thru an F3 tornado 70 yds from me, Thunder, normal alarms(I use a bed shaker and flashing light set up).

Still put 23 years of EMS and policing in despite it.

Enjoy what you can, Im one of the lucky ones not knowing what I missed as I've never had it.

Do the hearing aids help with mask mumblers?
I may consider them, but I’m single and don’t have to listen to anyone, so I may say fuck it and only hear half of what goes on around me.

Masks have shown me just how much I subconsciously rely on lip reading, even with hearing aids.

I turn mine off and they kinda act like ear plugs.

quote:

Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
Masks have shown me just how much I subconsciously rely on lip reading, even with hearing aids.

At least previously, I could see my doctors face to face as they talk.

The way some of them mumble with the masks, I don't know if I've just agreed to an enema.

Wind noise is the only complaint I have with mine.

Before I got my hearing aids my wife complained that I couldn't hear her. I explained that there is a difference between hearing and listening.

Paul, at least you have choices. Here, if you don’t wish to drive an hour or two, it’s Walmart. I’m not exaggerating.

Need a toaster, silverware, tv, picture frame, clock, stereo, etc. it’s Walmart.

Your only other options are Safeway, Frys grocery, and Home Depot.

Do a Google maps search of Cottonwood AZ. You’ll feel fortunate.