I began to lose my hearing about ten years ago,
大约十年前我开始失去听力

when I was in the military.
那时我正在服役

My husband and I got a cat about five years ago.
大约五年前，我和丈夫有了一只小猫

I've never owned a cat before,
我从没养过猫

so I had no idea
所以我完全不知道

what kind of noises they made
猫会发出什么样的怪声

besides "meow"
除了“喵”

so I had no context for what to expect
所以我全然无知无觉，亦无所期待

when I heard my cat purr for the first time today.
没想到，今天我第一次听到了我的猫打呼噜

I was laying in bed
那时我躺在床上

and he jumped up next to me
它跳上来，就在我身旁

and snuggled into my armpit .
依偎在我肩下

I started to feel him vibrate
我开始感觉到他身体的震动

like he always does
它一向如此

and then I heard it.
这时我听到了

I was so scared at first,
起初我有些害怕

I didn't understand what the sound was.
我不知道那是什么声音

Then it clicked:
这时我脑中灵光一闪

purring isn't just vibrating!
原来，打呼噜不仅是身体震动

It's a sound!
这是一种声音！

I can hear it!
我听到了！