Our Five Senses

While our 5 senses work independently, they ultimately collaborate to help us understand and navigate the world. When some of your senses are impaired, it's easier to notice how your remaining senses work together to compensate.

Through the mysteries of genetics, I have problems with 2 of those 5 senses. On the other hand, for as long as I can remember, I have had an incredible sense of smell.

My senses

Early on in my growing up years, glasses were so very necessary to ensure I could actually see the classroom chalkboards (showing my age here.) Yearly exams resulted in a yearly new pair of glasses. It was a phenomenon that I became accustomed to – a way of life, I suppose.

This life of living with myopic macular degeneration just adds to the seeing struggles. Continually adjusting lighting, moving in closer, and avoiding night outings... the eyes are in control of it all.

Hearing

My recollections are not clear on this, but I know I was in grade school when my yearly hearing tests were begun. I have clear memories of sitting in the sound booth with the headphones on, waiting for the anticipated sound signal. Would I hear it this time or not? Often second guessing myself, surely there was something to hear, right? The results were always the same: yes, some hearing problems and we will keep an eye (ha) on it. Year after year.

It wasn’t until I was 40 years old and married for 20 years that my husband and I recognized I needed something. This was when I got my first pair of hearing aides. This opened up a new world of really being able to follow along with the rest of the world.

Interesting thing

Through all of these deficits with 2 of my senses, my sense of smell was highly attuned. I was usually the one who would detect that the pilot light on our gas stove at work had burnt out. I could smell it. There was the night, we were preparing for bed, walking through the kitchen I smelled something. A definitely electrical burning smell. A call to the fire department ruled out any structural issues, the culprit? The refrigerator had burned out its compressor, yes I smelled it.

At times it's annoying; the things I smell can really be gross. Other times, it's the smell of honeysuckle across the yard. This nose is on the job, whether I like it or not.

Putting it all together

Myopic macular degeneration has certainly put a damper on how I would really like to see my world. The same can be said for my hearing challenges. Isn’t it amazing how one's other senses kick in and take a stand? I may not have a clear view of what is out there or may not be exactly sure what is being said. But through it all I can smell it, feel it, taste it and together, I don’t think that is too bad.