I just got back from the polls. I honestly wasn't sure I was even going to attempt voting this year; I hate venturing anywhere but the library, and only when the noise around my house is so loud that it drives me there. But I did it.
The drive wasn't too bad. It's usually quieter in the mornings, even with morning traffic. The morning air has that sort of hushed quality, you know?
I parked in a parking lot for a flower shop across the street from my polling place, and when I got out, I saw that they weren't letting people in yet -- I was that early. I certainly couldn't stand in line, so I waited in my car.
A school bus pulled up right in front of me, on the street perpendicular to where I was parked, to let some kids on. I didn't even know there was a stop there. I tensed up when it stopped, because I was expecting that horrible, loud hissing sound at any moment. I don't know if it was the frigid morning air or what, but thankfully that sound never came.
Eventually, I saw the poll doors open and headed out, holding my ears against the sound of traffic as I crossed the street. Waiting in line was the scariest part, because if anybody was talking too loud or if a phone went off or there was some other kind of really loud sound, what was I gonna do? Freak out in front of two dozen strangers? Yeah, the place was that packed. Before-work voters and retired voters, I suspect.
Nothing happened, though, I made it through in tact. In fact, the whole time I was out my ear barely hurt at all. It hurts more sitting here in the relative silence of my bedroom, typing this entry. Maybe the super cold air actually helped. I'll have to look into that.
Here's hoping other Hyperacusis sufferers are able to get to the polls today.
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