If I had to choose between being able to see my family members or being able to hear them I’d rather hear them any day of the week. I feel your pain.
I think he was trying to make light, sort of like somebody joking about another person being lucky to be blind since they have a wife who looks like crap. Maybe not such a funny joke to a person who’s really blind.
It's not fun not to be able to enjoy family visits because you can't understand all the talk. It's awful to have a young grandchild wonder why you can't understand what they say. You walk around corners or step back and bump into people you didn't ‘hear’ were there.
You can't use a cellphone, and barely a regular phone - even with digital hearing aids. You can't post on a ‘debate’ thread and try to watch the debate too because you have to read captioning. I can't enjoy the music I once loved.
I haven't attended large functions in years because I can't hear in a crowd. I can't hear the priest at a funeral or a wedding.... Sorry to be so off topic, but maybe it will educate those who don't have a clue. - And I thank you for your understanding.