I suppose that many of us who are perturbed by noises, have a hearing loss. I've had my hearing loss since weapons qualification in Army basic training, when I didn't have time to put my earplugs back in when they fell out. I compensate for it pretty well, but I've never been able to shut out conflicting noises. Sometimes, it drives me near crazy. After some parties, I'm ready to kill. Three hours in a din is sheer torture.

I paid $80 for two tickets to a symphony performance this afternoon. I like live performances of classical music because I hear so much more in a live performance.

But there was a lady behind us with a breathing machine. It made a constant hum, and a regular blast of "ssss" when the air went up into her nose. I felt sympathy for the woman, but I have a hearing loss and could hear very little of the first half of the concert. I feel embarrassed being fussy about interfering sounds, but I really hate it when I hear conflicting noises when I want to hear music.

I also get really bugged at singarounds when there's talking while we're singing. Some people talk really loud, so they can communicate above the music - probably because they, too, have hearing losses. Or maybe it's just because they're assholes.

Am I out of line for being fussy about this? I realize that my hearing loss makes this stuff bother me more than it bothers most people, but it really ruins a musical experience for me when there is conflicting noise.

We moved for the second half of the concert, and I got to hear Pictures at an Exhibition without interference. It was lovely, and that was the piece I really wanted to hear. Hearing it live, I caught nuances I have never heard on recordings - and it's one of my favorite pieces.

-Joe-