Traumatic experience

Sleeping with ear plugs can be a dangerous experience. I used them. Not anymore. Recently one of these ear plugs caused me acute external otitis during my sleep. I didn't understand my symptoms immediately and thought I'd permanently lost my hearing. I woke up with the ear canal swell shut.

I completely freaked out! I knew that hearing was a crucial part of my life. I didn't imagine how crucial it was... This predicament was the single most traumatic event I ever experienced to that date. 

Fortunately I was cured but there was a dramatic and valuable lesson to be learned.

(see also here)