I earned that F

My audiologist tried to lower my already low expectation for my new hearing test, my first since I have had hearing aids.

You got a 70% in clarity last time, she pointed out. Maybe that's as good as it gets. But wearing hearing aids stimulates the auditory nerve and should keep it from getting worse.

Note not will but should.

I got my low D last time with a 72 in my left ear, raising the 68 in my right.

And in fairness, the left ear was essentially the same -- a 68. The right ear was an impressive 56, so my failing grade of 62.

She was baffled. She even tested the right ear twice.

A nerve problem in a neurological condition like Friedreich's ataxia. NO WAY!