Note: I originally wrote this post on December 24, 2018, but failed to upload it.
Did you know that hearing loss can result in diminished cognitive capacity?
That’s what a poster on the wall in the audiologist’s office said.
Don’t you just hate it when the choices of your youth come back to bite you in the … ears?
Like most older teens and young adults of my generation, I went to reaaallly loud concerts and had a stereo that would wake the neighbors (or the dead). Of course, my parents didn’t allow me to play my stereo really loudly (at least when they were home). But once I got to college, it was a different story. In fact, during my freshman year (my only year in the dorm), my music was connected to the PA system that I also used for performing concerts in churches.
Fast forward 38 years and I am now visiting an audiologist to be evaluated for hearing aids. No one can say for sure that the loud music caused it, but it sure didn’t help.
So, during this evaluation visit was when I noticed the poster that listed diminished cognitive capacity as one of the possible results of hearing loss.
When the exam was over, I went to the receptionist to give her my photo ID and insurance card so she could make a copy. There was something strange about the pockets of my pants. It felt like they were twisted somehow.
Immediately following this doctor visit, I had a scheduled online videoconference with a cohort I am coaching through a Life Design process. Since it was almost noon and I really didn’t want to sit in my truck in the parking lot for the conference, I drove quickly to Starbucks so I could grab a cup of coffee and find a table to set up my phone for the conference.
When I got out of my truck at Starbucks and started to put my keys back in my pocket, I discovered why my pockets felt funny.
For the past 3 hours since I had left my house, I had been going around—yes, in public—with my pants on backward!
Say what?
It’s true! Hearing loss and diminished cognitive capacity are directly connected!
Now, just so you don’t think my cognitive capacity is way beyond simply diminished, I have to tell you that these were sweatpants because I had on my workout clothes underneath so I could go to the gym once my errands were done.
So at least there was no zipper in the back! (But there was a drawstring dangling).
I share this to encourage you. No matter what silly thing you have done lately, I’m pretty sure none of you walked around in public with your pants on backward. I hope that makes you feel better about yourself.
You’re welcome.
Can I encourage you one more way as we come to the close of a year? As I write this, January 1, 2019 is right around the corner and we will start a new chapter. This new chapter matters to God. I pray that it is filled with joy for you, that you can learn to not take yourself too seriously, and that you will choose to build your life around the purpose for which God made you.
Until next year … Be amazing, my friends.
