Audiogram of Hearing Loss
Whoever has ears, let them hear.
Matthew 11:15 (NIV)
We live in a highly visual world with technology that can deliver a steady stream of images. If you have ever tried to produce a video story, you know that the audio track is critical in holding the images and story together. It makes you realize the critical nature of hearing as it connects us into and with the lives of others.
I also know about hearing loss and hearing aids. I would love to tell you that these “aids” fix the underlying pathology. They don’t! The healing of our “generic hearing loss” in our society must occur at an even deeper level closer to the pathology.
What seems endemic is a kind of “generic (not geriatric, presbycusis) hearing loss”. It is not that there is lack of audio input. It is something deeper in the processing of the signals. It seems that there are so many inputs that it is impossible to hear those that are right in front of us. This environmental cacophony blocks our hearing at the deepest level.
So what is the prescription for this “hard of hearing”? Here is my list:
- Turn off or at least turn down the noise
- Focus on the sound in front of you - don't talk to machines
- Make a time/place for reflection on what you heard
- Listen for the beauty
- Engage and act on your response
My prayer, during this time of Lent, is that my deeper hearing will improve and may even be healed.
Marvin
References:
Brooks, A. C. (2019). Love Your Enemies. HarperCollins.
Hage, M.L (2014). Hearing Stories.
http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2014/04/hearing-stories.html
Hearing Link
https://www.hearinglink.org/your-hearing/implants/cochlear-implants/
Hage, M. L. (2017). The Beauty of Healing.
http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2017/01/the-beauty-of-healing.html
