Aging baby boomers struggling with hearing loss

Robert Rice, 54, of New Kensington, says his sense of hearing has been slipping for about a decade, and he blames it on his youthful affair with rock concerts: The Who, The Rolling Stones and the like.

[Old Cynic]

When you kill your hearing with noise, you pay later in life. The government has no business in the affair. I'm not interested in paying 'cause you hurt yourself with some weird pleasure. What scares me is that some politico or some insurance company will start paying for this and we'll be paying more in taxes and premiums when it's not our place to help these folks. Maybe, it's natures way of saying, "silence is golden".

[PUGSLY]

What did you say?

[Olderndirt]

PUGSLY wrote:

What did you say?

Don't tell Ol Cynic but there's a hearing aid office on Corbett St. that can hook you up if you're the victim of loud noise. If the govt doesn't pay for it I'll bet some insurance co. will.(MUM'S THE WORD)

[LadyeHawke]

Olderndirt wrote:

<quoted text>
Don't tell Ol Cynic but there's a hearing aid office on Corbett St. that can hook you up if you're the victim of loud noise. If the govt doesn't pay for it I'll bet some insurance co. will.(MUM'S THE WORD)

Victim: 4. A person who suffers injury, loss, or death as a result of a voluntary undertaking. Hmmm, interesting. Those who have suffered hearing loss as a direct result of loud noise could very well qualify for assistance. Interesting. I don't agree, though, that taxpayers ought to pick up the tab.

[Olderndirt]

LadyeHawke wrote:

<quoted text>Victim: 4. A person who suffers injury, loss, or death as a result of a voluntary undertaking. Hmmm, interesting. Those who have suffered hearing loss as a direct result of loud noise could very well qualify for assistance. Interesting. I don't agree, though, that taxpayers ought to pick up the tab.

Dear Lady, Pugsley and I were just clowning around. Reading your post did get me wondering what the definition of a voluntary undertaking would be. Sky diving and bungy jumping would certainly fall into that category. Would coal mining or law enforcement be included???Just wondering.......

[pugsley]

hey olderndirt,how about a hazmat first responder
Who sticks the proverbial neck out there everyday
to protect citizens and the environment everyday
Yes it is a choice to do that,you might say that
A voluntary undertaking.Ladyhawke my broken up
Body and my family would like to thank you for
Helping me patch up these old bones many times
And sending me out once again!

[LadyeHawke]

Olderndirt wrote:

<quoted text>
Dear Lady, Pugsley and I were just clowning around. Reading your post did get me wondering what the definition of a voluntary undertaking would be. Sky diving and bungy jumping would certainly fall into that category. Would coal mining or law enforcement be included???Just wondering.......

Hi, Olderndirt. Sorry 'bout that. Sometimes I take things wayyyy tooo seriously. Thanks for your kind consideration :)
Yes, I'm wondering, also, as the list grows of activities that could be included in the definition. Interesting.

[Olderndirt]

Politically speaking, Our present government is of the same mind as Old Synic. Kids volunteered for the military. Their free choice. The govt. sent many in harms way where some got hurt. Now the govt is saying it was their choice to join and we're sorry for their afflictions.

[Olderndirt]

LadyeHawke wrote:

<quoted text> Hi, Olderndirt. Sorry 'bout that. Sometimes I take things wayyyy tooo seriously. Thanks for your kind consideration :)
Yes, I'm wondering, also, as the list grows of activities that could be included in the definition. Interesting.

Howdy Lady, There's no need to be sorry. It's obvious what Old Synic is saying. There's a lot of bad decisions made by people who get injured by being stupid and society often picks up the tab for them. What's difficult is who decides who was stupid and who wasn't.
Gotta go, my friend is calling me to watch him take off from my roof on his new home made hang glider. It's the only one in the world made from concrete.

[Olderndirt]

pugsley wrote:

hey olderndirt,how about a hazmat first responder
Who sticks the proverbial neck out there everyday
to protect citizens and the environment everyday
Yes it is a choice to do that,you might say that
A voluntary undertaking.Ladyhawke my broken up
Body and my family would like to thank you for
Helping me patch up these old bones many times
And sending me out once again!

Hazmat?? How about we typical members of society who dare to drink water from our taps in spite of knowing that the water has been treated with "who knows what" or maybe not treated that day so the water co. can save some money. Has it become stupid to drink tap water these days? Geez I'm scaring myself. Thank goodness for bottled water. I just wish they would put it in containers that weren't toxic.

[Old Cynic]

Olderndirt wrote:

Politically speaking, Our present government is of the same mind as Old Synic. Kids volunteered for the military. Their free choice. The govt. sent many in harms way where some got hurt. Now the govt is saying it was their choice to join and we're sorry for their afflictions.

C'mon - you can't put our soldiers in he same bucket as those idiots who have ruined their hearing with that stuff they call "music". That head banging junk is what we're all going to pay for.

[Olderndirt]

I hear you...I'd never put the 2 together but I don't know about anyone else.
I don't know how old you are but I remember when Pressley hit the scene and our older generation thought we kids were going to grow up as sex addicts because of his hip swinging.
I think you're right though. There will be a price to pay for listening to head banging music in the confines of a vehicle loaded with 6 or 8 speakers and the volume cranked up.
Technology is presently available to control noise. Fines could be collected for noise above a certain decible level but don't hold your breath. There are laws for coming into the country illegally, possessing illegal drugs, etc. Unfortunately nobody wants to pay for enforcement.
Pick your poison Cynic, pay for peoples hearing problems or pay for more and better law enforcement to stop the noise.

[LadyeHawke]

Olderndirt wrote:

<quoted text>
Howdy Lady, There's no need to be sorry. It's obvious what Old Synic is saying. There's a lot of bad decisions made by people who get injured by being stupid and society often picks up the tab for them. What's difficult is who decides who was stupid and who wasn't.
Gotta go, my friend is calling me to watch him take off from my roof on his new home made hang glider. It's the only one in the world made from concrete.

A good day to you, Olderndirt. Ahhh yes, the age old question: who's stupid vs who wasn't. As for Elvis...it was The Beatles. "I Wanna Hold Your Hand!!!!!!" hee hee Today, I listen to quiet, reflective, instrumental music.

[Olderndirt]

LadyeHawke wrote:

<quoted text>A good day to you, Olderndirt. Ahhh yes, the age old question: who's stupid vs who wasn't. As for Elvis...it was The Beatles. "I Wanna Hold Your Hand!!!!!!" hee hee Today, I listen to quiet, reflective, instrumental music.

Hello again Lady, When it comes to studidity, I guess we all can be seen as stupid at times.
I'm pretty much with you when it comes to listening to music. I listen to Enya and Aaron Nevelle a lot. Since we've both sort of dated ourselves by who we listened to in our youth, you can see my posting name isn't an exageration. Old Elvis and I were stationed in Germany at the same time, about 60 miles from each other but our paths never crossed. I doubt that he was there very much. The only English singer at the time that I remember was Lonny Donnigan. Way before your time.
Since we've resolved the question of noise abatement, maybe we can resolve another world problem. Can you think of any?

[LadyeHawke]

Olderndirt wrote:

<quoted text>
Hello again Lady, When it comes to studidity, I guess we all can be seen as stupid at times.
I'm pretty much with you when it comes to listening to music. I listen to Enya and Aaron Nevelle a lot. Since we've both sort of dated ourselves by who we listened to in our youth, you can see my posting name isn't an exageration. Old Elvis and I were stationed in Germany at the same time, about 60 miles from each other but our paths never crossed. I doubt that he was there very much. The only English singer at the time that I remember was Lonny Donnigan. Way before your time.
Since we've resolved the question of noise abatement, maybe we can resolve another world problem. Can you think of any?

Clean, usable water. That's a world problem that I'd like to see resolved.
As to age, you're just a summer chicken. My dear mom-in-law will be celebrating her 94th b'day 14 May. Since last Nov, she's had shingles (terrible, ugh), surgery due to breast cancer... and now cataracts. The cataracts will be removed this month: hoorah! This is a thankful family to God who is glad to have her with us in very good health. She was my music teacher in grade school. This woman can discuss music :)

[Olderndirt]

LadyeHawke wrote:

<quoted text>Clean, usable water. That's a world problem that I'd like to see resolved.
As to age, you're just a summer chicken. My dear mom-in-law will be celebrating her 94th b'day 14 May. Since last Nov, she's had shingles (terrible, ugh), surgery due to breast cancer... and now cataracts. The cataracts will be removed this month: hoorah! This is a thankful family to God who is glad to have her with us in very good health. She was my music teacher in grade school. This woman can discuss music :)

Hello again....God bless mom-in-law. Sorry to hear she has shingles. I don't know much about it but I've heard it's painful, interferes with sleep, etc.I'm guessing the shingles came on because of the breast surgery. You probably know that often something traumatic brings it on. I wish her well with the cataracts. let me know how it goes. I've been told that I have the beginnings of cataracts. My dr. said it was nothing to worry about at this point.
Talk about old age, I just lost an uncle about a year ago that was 106. He was active and in good health until the end. His kids made him stop driving at about 101. He could still drive but they were afraid that if he was in an accident his age would be used against him. He was on the Italian side of the family and drank a glass of red wine daily, so I've been told. I had an aunt that passed about 10 years ago that was 97. She was the Polish side. Almost all my aunts and uncles died in their mid to late 80's. It's all in the genes.
What was you mom-in-laws background that she ended up teaching music. Where did she go to school? Play any instruments? Grades taught?
Nice typing to you. Let me think about a solution for cleaning up the world's polluted water.

[LadyeHawke]

Olderndirt wrote:

<quoted text>
Hello again....God bless mom-in-law. Sorry to hear she has shingles. I don't know much about it but I've heard it's painful, interferes with sleep, etc.I'm guessing the shingles came on because of the breast surgery. You probably know that often something traumatic brings it on. I wish her well with the cataracts. let me know how it goes. I've been told that I have the beginnings of cataracts. My dr. said it was nothing to worry about at this point.
Talk about old age, I just lost an uncle about a year ago that was 106. He was active and in good health until the end. His kids made him stop driving at about 101. He could still drive but they were afraid that if he was in an accident his age would be used against him. He was on the Italian side of the family and drank a glass of red wine daily, so I've been told. I had an aunt that passed about 10 years ago that was 97. She was the Polish side. Almost all my aunts and uncles died in their mid to late 80's. It's all in the genes.
What was you mom-in-laws background that she ended up teaching music. Where did she go to school? Play any instruments? Grades taught?
Nice typing to you. Let me think about a solution for cleaning up the world's polluted water.

It's sounds as if you have "long life" genes in your family. My great-great grandfather Richard Dunton lived just shy his 100th b'day. He knew herbs. People would come from miles around to him. He outlived 2 wives and most of their 18 children. He was forced to quit working in the coal mines at age 90. He never smoked and never drank and never wore eyeglasses. His children, when he became ill at age 99, thought it best for him to finally go to a doctor and get some real medicine. He was dead within the week.
My mom-in-law wanted to be a secretary which was considered to be a man's job back in the day. Her parents thought it best that she study music. She received her B.S. degree in music & music education from Carnegie Mellon. She could play piano, organ, flute...I can't think of other instruments that she personally played. She taught grades 1-12 at first; then, as the school district hired more teachers, she just taught 1-8 and then 1-6. She took the grandchildren to the Pgh symphony when they were in grade school. The illness and battle w/ cancer have drawn them even closer to her as well as to each other and to their dad and me :) I am grateful to God for each day that we have w/ her. Regarding the cataracts, her 1st surgery is May 7 & the 2nd is May 21. She'll be able to see her great-grandchildren clearly...as well as the rest of the family :)

[Olderndirt]

Your family must be enormous after 3 generations of an ancestor with 18 children. Your family tree is certainly full of branch's. Are you in touch with very many or have they sort of disappeared with time?
Sounds like you have a lot of love and caring in your family. That seems to be getting so rare these days. My family is fortunate too. With kids and grandchildren, there are 16 of us. Our children are close and stay in, just about, daily contact. All are happily married and have healthy families. What more can one ask?
When it comes to music, I'm illiterate. The only thing I can play when it comes to music is the radio. Last night my wife and I went to a "Manheim Steamroller" concert. One of our children gave us tickets. I would never have thought of going if we didn't get free tickets. We loved it.
Seems like we've wondered off topic here. From baby boomers hearing to Manheim Steamroller. Say hello to mom-in-law and that I wish her well.

[LadyeHawke]

Olderndirt wrote:

Your family must be enormous after 3 generations of an ancestor with 18 children. Your family tree is certainly full of branch's. Are you in touch with very many or have they sort of disappeared with time?
Sounds like you have a lot of love and caring in your family. That seems to be getting so rare these days. My family is fortunate too. With kids and grandchildren, there are 16 of us. Our children are close and stay in, just about, daily contact. All are happily married and have healthy families. What more can one ask?
When it comes to music, I'm illiterate. The only thing I can play when it comes to music is the radio. Last night my wife and I went to a "Manheim Steamroller" concert. One of our children gave us tickets. I would never have thought of going if we didn't get free tickets. We loved it.
Seems like we've wondered off topic here. From baby boomers hearing to Manheim Steamroller. Say hello to mom-in-law and that I wish her well.

A good day to yee, Olderndirt. As much as I've enjoyed researching the families, I've also learned that few have kept in touch. I'm grateful to God for our family. It started small as my husband was the last of his name sake...at least in our neck of the woods. God blessed us w/ 2 sons & 2 daughters. So far, we've been blessed w/ 6 grandchildren :) & that's just from our oldest daughter and our oldest son. More to come; more to enjoy! I'm glad that you & your lovely wife were able to enjoy the concert. My hubby & I enjoy more quieter jaunts...hikes in the woods, listening to an occasional bird or squirrel. Enjoy the day.

[Olderndirt]

LadyeHawke wrote:

<quoted text>A good day to yee, Olderndirt. As much as I've enjoyed researching the families, I've also learned that few have kept in touch. I'm grateful to God for our family. It started small as my husband was the last of his name sake...at least in our neck of the woods. God blessed us w/ 2 sons & 2 daughters. So far, we've been blessed w/ 6 grandchildren :) & that's just from our oldest daughter and our oldest son. More to come; more to enjoy! I'm glad that you & your lovely wife were able to enjoy the concert. My hubby & I enjoy more quieter jaunts...hikes in the woods, listening to an occasional bird or squirrel. Enjoy the day.

What a coincidence. We too have 4 children, 2 boys, 2 girls and presently 6 grandkids, 4 boys and 2 girls.What are the odds? Stranger things have happened. I worked with a guy that I found out we played football against each other in high school. We were born on the same day,his wife and mine were born one day apart and we were married on the same day. Spooky...
I hope everything goes well with mom-in-law.