$4000 Equals Hearing

An elderly man inquired of his wife about a recent, large expense.
"Well yes I bought this new hearing aid, dear." his wife replied.
"How much did it cost, dear?," he asked.
"Four thousand dollars," she said.
"Four thousand dollars! Why would you have to pay so much for a hearing
aid?", he exclaimed.
"It's a wonderful hearing aid. Why I can hear everything around me. I
can make out everything that people are saying around me even from the
other side of the room."
"Really? What kind is it?"
"It's five-thirty," she said checking her watch. "Why?"
Originally published November 24, 2004.