When I first retired, I decided I wanted to learn to fly. I went along to my local flying school, and had a trial lesson. I had to wear headphones, and could just about hear my instructor with the volume set to maximum if he spoke slowly and clearly, but I could not hear Air Traffic Control at all.
I eventually had a headset modified with an induction loop built in, and wore a standard BTE (Behind The Ear) aid set to the ‘T’ position for the duration my lessons. This made it easier for me to hear my instructor, but I still couldn’t hear Air Traffic Control. I never did solve that one, so clearly I wasn’t going to be able to fly solo. But I was still having the time of my life.
Then, one day when I was taking off, and was only about 500 feet off the ground, I heard my instructor shout “I have control”. I acknowledged with “You have control” and let go of the controls. We climbed to 3,000 feet, and levelled off. He then turned to me and asked “Didn’t you hear the stall warning?” “What stall warning?” I asked.
Apparently, there was audible warning that basically seemed to mean that if I did nothing, we were about to drop about a 1,000 feet or so. As we were only 500 feet up, that would not have been a very good idea. I had heard nothing. That, together with my inability to hear the Air Traffic Controllers convinced me to look for another hobby! The new ‘me’ won’t give up so easily.
I still like to fly occasionally, but only if I have a qualified pilot sitting alongside me who is responsible for the safety of the aircraft.