[tobtoh]

One thing to check: Your hearing

I went through a period of life in my late 30s where I felt I was getting stupider. I was struggling to pickup new concepts and get a handle on new situations quickly like I used to. I was made redundant during a 'restructure' and I strongly believe it was due to these issues I was dealing with.

Several months after being made redundant I got my hearing checked - I had moderate hearing loss in the higher frequencies (where speech occurs). After getting hearing aids, it changed my life.

HA made me realise I had been relying on lip reading and context to understand what was being said. When I encountered new technology/concepts, I didn't have pre-existing base knowledge or context to 'fill in the gaps' of my hearing.

HA reversed all of the issues I had previously been experiencing.

[jamal-kumar]

That's freaky this can happen in your 30s. I should really consider turning the volume down in my earbuds.

They are actually developing a drug which regrows the cilia in your cochlea which is pretty interesting [1]

[1] https://news.mit.edu/2022/frequency-therapeutics-hearing-reg...

[throwaway2037]

Wow, this is a superb post. Have you blogged about this experience? I am sure many on HN would be interested to learn more! I have lost hearing from dance clubs. I am always the first person in a moderately noisy setting to say "Huh / What / Can you say again?" When I dine out, I try to sit side-by-side. It is so much better for me than across a table!