A trip in the Wonkanator* March 30, 2005
I had a hearing test this morning. Verry interesting … but not very funny.
The results for my right ear came back as pretty much normal, including the dropoff in the high frequencies that can be attributed to age (along with my long-sightedness).
The left ear showed an alarming plunge in the middle frequencies. This means that there are a lot of sounds I’m missing through my left ear. So you all REALLY need to stay on my good side…
The ENT specialist sent me off for an MRI, in case the loss is due to a tumour. Apparently this is unlikely, but needs to be checked anyway.
I’ve never had an MRI before…
I’m a little bit claustrophobic…
Although there’s a little mirror in the machine which enables one to see out the window to the garden, I found it preferable to keep my eyes shut and try to remember the mindfulness of breath meditation I learned 10 years ago.
With my eyes open I found it impossible not to look at the bars of the little cage inches away from my face or the walls of the machine only a few more inches away. And the more I concentrated on not moving, the more I really, really felt the need to move.
That’s got to be one of the longest 15 minute periods of my life.
*pinched from Dooce
i think an mri on the head region would be woeful. the one on my knee a few years back was easy enough, in fact i fell asleep and they had to come and wake me up as i had started to twitch.
given how you described it to me I am amazed you coped as well as you did. Thankfully you shouldn’t have to do any more them.
I’m really sorry you had to go through that. The MRI is not your friend, even when the results are positive. Hope it is all smooth sailing from here on in - and we’ll all try to stay on your good side.