Hearing Aid 2

Just over three years ago, I had a hearing test which confirmed that my hearing has somewhat deteriorated. The audiologist did assure that putting on hearing aid would help to restore some of my hearing loss back to a reasonable level (Read here). However, I did not pursue this further mainly because of the exorbitant cost of acquiring a set of hearing aid of acceptable quality.

Through the help of a relative, I managed to see an ENT doctor at a local government hospital at the end of February 2018 and followed up with a hearing test by an audiologist in early April 2018. At the end of the test, I was offered a variety of hearing aids to choose from to select a type of personal choice. I was advised by that specific audiologist against choosing the smallest type because they may not be that sensitive. I opted for the medium range which if worn would "unfortunately" be fairly noticeable.

The set selected would have looked like this!

When I was finally asked to pick up the set offered to me at a government appointed private outlet on 27 December 2018, the set is miniature and is hardly noticeable when worn. Unlike the earlier set used for the trial in April, this set has very little background noise. It is the background noise I believe that has discouraged many people from wearing the aid. But on second thought, it is probably the high cost of its acquisition that is the major hindrance.

The benefit of wearing the hearing aid was instantly felt. My TV volume is turned down from 50 at pre-wearing stage to 25-30 at post wearing stage. In the end, through personal experience, I have no hesitation in recommending to hearing loss sufferers to try out the hearing aids. 

I am one of those most fortunate to be able to acquire a set for free. As a spouse of a government pensioner, this is a benefit that I have to give credit to the Federal Government.  

Christmas in Singapore

Christmas 2018 was spent in Singapore with the families of Sam and Paul. Similar to the occasion of Chinese New Year, Christmas is also a time of reunion for family members. It is also a time to celebrate and reflect on God's faithfulness and graciousness toward our family.

Since the last visit of Livvie to Sabah in October which was barely two months ago (Read here), Livvie's affection for her Sabahan grandparents has grown by leaps and bounds.

To spice up the occasion of Christmas especially for the kids, Rachel has organized a "competition" of the making of ginger bread houses among families of her friends and connect groups.

A trip to the playground allowed us to experience to see the gutsy and fearless side of Livvie. She too has similar gene of her cousins down south (Read here). 

This Christmas would also be remembered for my first taste of Ratatouille, courtesy of Paul and Juhshi and Pavlova by Rachel.

Letting Go 2

More than two years ago, we let go our 4WD (Read here). Today, 19 December marks another end of an era - we let go our Honda CRV which has faithfully been serving us for the last sixteen years. It was not an easy decision. We had debated about this for quite some time. In the end, we think it's best to let it go before its useful life is too costly to salvage.

Its greatest "achievement" probably is the three years period from the end of 2008 to 2011 when it needed to ascend and descend the steepest road in Sabah, the Kimanis Highway in between Papar and Keningau almost every week. It did not even once fail the challenge.

I was very surprised by the tremendous interest from potential buyers after I put up the car for sale in Mudah.com. That same evening after the advertisement was published, one young man called from Sibu, Sarawak to show his very keenness to acquire the car. The next day, after being shown a few photos of the interior and the engine compartment, he immediately confirmed his intention by paying the deposit online. Meanwhile, my phone continued beeping from potential buyers. In the end, I had to delete the advertisement to cut off further inquiry.

The buyer Vincent Ng, a 29-year old lad took leave and flew in today to collect his car. He was more than happy to see what he is getting!

Well, not to be too disappointed. Another little work horse has been acquired as a replacement! Cheer to Honda Jazz!. 

The beginning of the ascend , Kimanis Highway.

Fragility of Life

It's exactly a month since my phone beeped with the notification of Henry's passing. This morning, another very unexpected beep of my phone notifying the passing of Michael Lianson.

I only got to know Michael in the recent tour to Eastern Europe. I remember his first statement when we chatted for the very first time - "I know you because your company is doing a project in Tuaran". He was then the District Engineer of DID for Tuaran. I guess he was in his late thirties or at most early forties. A well built muscular man with a height above the average. It was only in the FB obituary that I discovered he was a rugby player. It was unthinkable that an apparently healthy man in his prime of life just suddenly died, apparently after a stroke. Our final encounter was exactly three months ago on 18 September when we parted way soon after our plane landed at KLIA.

Sadly, another premature death too happened on 17 December 2018. Mohammas Adib Mohd Kassim, the fireman who was critically injured in a mob attack during last month's Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple riots. At 24, his life was cut short so prematurely, just three days before he was to get married - a truly very heart wrenching incident.

"We stand on the edge of the abyss, across whose unknowable face we paint meaning so as to see into it. It is always there. But we're here too, and we are no less real than abyss. We are no less meaningful for being transient creatures caught up in something too big for us. There is still value to our lives. I've learnt that those things that are most fragile are also the most precious." Ovadya ben Malka. A Damaged Mirror.