All the Time

Aug 16, 2020 | by Nancy Newbrough

In 2005 I was having problems with my voice and went to see an ear, nose, and throat doctor. His diagnosis was polyps on my vocal cords. While at the appointment, I mentioned having constant ringing in my ears.  The doctor told me that was not normal and auditory testing was done.  It turns out that the hearing capacity in my ears was only 50 per cent! The doctor recommended hearing aids.

Fifteen years ago, when this happened, the cost of hearing aids was not covered by my insurance. Therefore, I had to pay $5,000 for the pair.  These hearing aids fit on top of my ears and wrap into my ear canals with a wire -- so they are not noticeable.

Fast forward to 2020 and the year of the pandemic when we are required to wear masks. Unfortunately, my hearing aids and masks do not fit well together.  It does not matter what kind of mask I wear -- if it goes over the ears, I have problems keeping my hearing aids in place, especially the left one.  So, when I must wear a mask, I tend to take my hearing aids out.

More than a week ago, I was working at school by setting up my classroom for the school year that is about to begin.  I am a fifth-grade teacher.  Because of working alone, I had my mask off.  When it came time to leave, normally I would take my hearing aids out before putting my mask on. This was my routine so I would not lose the hearing aids. That afternoon I had an appointment and needed the hearing aids in to understand what would be said.  I put my mask on and went to the appointment.

While sitting in this appointment, I realized that the person speaking sounded muffled.  I checked my ears and discovered my left hearing aid was missing! When the meeting was over, I frantically looked all around the office and in the reception area to no avail!  I could not find it!

I went outside and got down on my hands and knees and looked under the car, opened the car door, and thoroughly searched the car … but it was gone!  In great despair, I texted my three sisters and asked them to please start praying that I find it!  There was no way that I could afford to buy a new one!  My sisters also let their friends know … and a whole prayer chain began.

When I got home, my husband and I searched everywhere!  I first pulled everything out of my purse.  Then we took a flashlight to the car, pulled up the mats, and literally tore my car apart!  Still no luck!

I called my audiologist the next day and found out my type of hearing aids are now $5,800 for a pair.  I was devastated with no idea of what to do.  My financial situation has drastically changed since purchasing the hearing aids, and there is no way I could afford a new one!  My sweet sister the next day even went back to the parking lot and into the building to search.  “It cannot hurt,” she said. “Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes can help.”

The following day I had an appointment with the audiologist who said she was going to contact my insurance company to see what they could do to help. That night it was LIFE Group, and I asked for prayer that my insurance company will cover some or all the cost of a new hearing aid. But, unfortunately, the insurance company would not cover any of the cost! (This is typical as hearing aids are rarely covered by medical insurance policies).

Again, I was desolate!  All I could think to do was call Pastor Robert, the leader of my LIFE Group, to ask for continued prayer. On Sunday morning, I submitted a request to the Prayer Team.  I was really feeling down!

Sunday night I had to wash my masks to get them ready for school the next day. As I pulled the four masks out of my purse, my lost hearing aid fell onto the table! 

I was so shocked and could not believe it!  My heart was overflowing with thanksgiving to our incredible Lord!  “God is good all the time and all the time God is good!”  Take it from someone who knows … God does answer prayer!                         

M.K.
I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
Psalm 9:1