Beautiful weather, all day – had a breakthrough on Shelf Life – the library roof collapsing and the impact this had on our project – I began working on this today. Back to writing about board governance tomorrow.

It was a shame, Pete and my having to go into the Anchorage, but it was about time to venture there and take care of the hearing aid problem. I’d both hearing aids – one by one.

I knew for some time that I needed to see an audiologist and get new hearing aids. Pete set up the appointment for which I was most thankful. We nearly didn’t arrive on time at the audiologists because we got caught in traffic going to Anchorage. We were told by the receptionist that we had a ten-minute grace period. Okay. We got to where we were supposed to be with a minute to spare. I then let the receptionist know I forgot my I.D. She was extremely brusque, so much so that I got rattled, which is often the case when dealing with medical personnel.

Hrimmi with hay delivery

The receptionists office was on the third floor; the audiologist’s office was on the first floor. The audiologist, Elizabeth, was warm, kind, friendly, and acted like she had all the time in the world. Her first question to me was, “Are you still working?” Which I thought was really odd – I told her I was a volunteer and a little about the project.

It turns out her father is the head audiologist, so this is a family deal.

Elizabeth did an excellent job, doing the testing and explaining the results. I had to take a cognitive test, the idea being that if you are suffering from hearing loss, the brain is working hard to compensate for this. Elizabeth said that I had some memory loss, but that having the hearing aids and regular check ups could restore the lost function. Now I do wonder if the tests were such that I am suffering less than indicated.

I am suffering some – I’m finding it hard to hold and then put forth more than one example. And I have been struggling to hear people.

Pete seemed to think that the audiological exam and results were on the up and up, which is why we went with this expensive plan. I will go back periodically and have my hearing and cognitive functions checked.

The hearing aids themselves are far better than what I had previously. Elizabeth said that Costco hearing aids amplify sounds exclusively, and I believe this to be so.

The hearing aids are rechargeable, so no more batteries.

I feel as though we have yet another good health care provider on our list.

This evening we went for a solstice ride, to Grizzly Camp. Pete rode Tyra and I rode Hrimmi. I do need to work with her on her grubbing manners. I think I can solve the obsessive desire to be eating grass all the time.

Next: 169. 6/21/25: Summer