I'm hesitant to consult a fundy, creationist ear, nose & throat doc. [View All]

[Ladyhawk]

After flushing my ears out with hydrogen peroxide, I'm having some hearing anomalies. When I play the piano, it sounds like I'm constantly changing keys and sometimes a single note sounds like two notes. I haven't even tried to sing, yet. This is NOT GOOD for a musician. Next week I have a voice recital, a piano recital and an audition for two solos in Handel's Messiah.

I saw a doc today and he said everything looked normal and that my next step would be to consult an ear, nose and throat specialist. He referred me to perhaps the only one in town, a doctor whose name I recognized. A big neon sign lit up and flashed in my brain: FUNDY NUTJOB!!!...FUNDY NUTJOB!!!...FUNDY NUTJOB!!!

Last time I saw this doctor, I was in a playful mood. As he started scribbling notes, I asked if there was a mandatory class for aspiring doctors that ensured their handwriting was completely illegible. The ear, nose and throat doc didn't want to joke. Trying to break the ice, I asked if perhaps his handwriting had simply evolved, becoming worse and worse as he was exposed to more and more note-taking. Finally, he replied, "No, it seemed to get worse in steps."

"Ah," I said, smiling, "punctuated equilibrium." He didn't say anything, didn't crack a smile. "Do you know what punctuated equilibrium is?" I asked.

"Yes," he said, "but it's nonsense. I believe in creationism."

Suddenly I didn't trust the guy anymore. I'm supposed to put my hearing in the hands of a doctor who doesn't believe in evolution? I suppose he might be smart enough to compartmentalize knowledge. Perhaps he's a competent enough doctor, but still...

Ugh.

I guess it's my decision to make, but I don't feel confident in the critical thinking skills of a creationist. Still, that's par for the course in this town. Even if there was another ear, nose and throat specialist, it would probably be another fundy...and folks wonder why I insisted on having my surgery OUT OF TOWN. :)