Chapter 1: Adjusting to the Quirks of Hearing Aids

I've grown accustomed to the peculiarities that come with wearing hearing aids. For instance, when I hear a sudden sharp noise behind me, I’ve learned that it doesn't actually originate from that direction; it’s just the microphone at play.

Listening to my favorite songs is now a challenge, as the microphones tend to amplify background instruments, drowning out the melodies and turning the music into an unpleasant cacophony.

Even mundane activities, like flushing the toilet, have taken on a bizarre twist. My hearing aids transform that action into the sound of tiny demons chortling among themselves.

I suspect there’s some sort of monitoring device nearby, possibly in the hallway or adjacent apartment, that occasionally causes one of my hearing aids to emit a series of eight beeps. Fortunately, that particular quirk hasn’t occurred in a while.

However, I’m now encountering something new. As I work in my living room, with the distant sounds of traffic on Grand Avenue, I suddenly hear a squelching noise—something reminiscent of an intestinal sound, akin to what I experienced when suffering from acid reflux.

But I’m not dealing with acid reflux anymore! My stomach feels perfectly fine, and I’m not even experiencing gas. Given the positioning of the microphones, this should be a sound I’m picking up from the outside, perhaps from the balcony beyond the sliding glass doors.

Could it be a creature out there, digesting its food so loudly that I can hear its insides squelching? Thankfully, that’s not the case. I even get up to investigate.

Squelch! There it goes again! What on earth…? Life is never boring. Perhaps one day I’ll uncover the mystery behind this sound as well.

Chapter 2: Unraveling the Mysteries of Sound

To delve deeper into the fascinating world of perception and sound, consider watching the following video:

This TEDx talk by Robin Carhart-Harris explores how psychedelics can alter our perception of reality, shedding light on the complexities of the human mind and auditory experiences.

Another intriguing perspective can be found in this video:

In this presentation, neuroscientist David Eagleman discusses the innovative concept of using a wristband to translate sound into tactile sensations, potentially enhancing the way we experience the world around us.