I'm 24 years post-op. They say that you get used to it -- eventually, you do -- until you hit a forum like this one, and listen for it again. The sound seems to soften over time (and don't we all?).
In my experience, there are a few things you should know:
Don't try to play hide and seek with a child. I tried once, stood behind a door, and from the other side of the door, my daughter said 'hi, dad.' This click will carry.
Don't buy a loud mechanical watch and NOT tell people nearby who care about you. I once bought a Mickey Mouse watch from the '40s and wore it to bed. My wife was afraid that I was having a heart attack because my heart was working so quickly.
If you're in a meeting or at an event where speakers drone on and on, and you see someone, annoyed, looking towards the source of the clicking -- enjoy it. I was at a press conference, and a jerk in the row in front of me kept looking behind him - in my direction. Of course, I made it easier for him to hear it - I opened my mouth and pointed this click trumpet in his direction, to my amusement and his annoyance. Finally, a few minutes later, he could take no more. 'Who's wearing the cheap watch?' he shouted out. "It's me,' I told him. 'It's my heart valve clicking.' This guy went from 6 feet tall to 6 inches tall in a manner of moments.
Yes, some doctors really like to listen to the valve click. I was told once by a doctor who examined me that she would like HER students to hear this, because this is how a valve should sound.
Finally, FWIW, these valves usually come with a lifetime guarantee.
In my experience, there are a few things you should know:
Don't try to play hide and seek with a child. I tried once, stood behind a door, and from the other side of the door, my daughter said 'hi, dad.' This click will carry.
Don't buy a loud mechanical watch and NOT tell people nearby who care about you. I once bought a Mickey Mouse watch from the '40s and wore it to bed. My wife was afraid that I was having a heart attack because my heart was working so quickly.
If you're in a meeting or at an event where speakers drone on and on, and you see someone, annoyed, looking towards the source of the clicking -- enjoy it. I was at a press conference, and a jerk in the row in front of me kept looking behind him - in my direction. Of course, I made it easier for him to hear it - I opened my mouth and pointed this click trumpet in his direction, to my amusement and his annoyance. Finally, a few minutes later, he could take no more. 'Who's wearing the cheap watch?' he shouted out. "It's me,' I told him. 'It's my heart valve clicking.' This guy went from 6 feet tall to 6 inches tall in a manner of moments.
Yes, some doctors really like to listen to the valve click. I was told once by a doctor who examined me that she would like HER students to hear this, because this is how a valve should sound.
Finally, FWIW, these valves usually come with a lifetime guarantee.
