DEAF people, who use sign language as their main means of communication, as a result, let others know that they are deaf and they deal with them accordingly.

Unfortunately, many people who are hard of hearing don't give any signs that their only means of communication is by lip reading.

For, unless the person speaking is facing them in a good light and speaks slowly, it is almost impossible to understand what they are saying.

As a result, the hard of hearing person can be thought to be slow-witted and people, even their own family and friends, lose patience and can't be bothered repeating themselves and so leave him or her out of the conversation, making them feel more isolated and lonely.

Unfortunately, most hard of hearing people become so in later life (even becoming totally deaf) and have not been taught sign language, so, in future, spare a thought for their feelings.

If you notice someone wearing a deaf aid, try to help them by speaking slowly and clearly, but please don't shout or lose patience.

JOHN AND EILEEN SPEAKMAN (Welfare Visitors, Blackburn Fellowship for the Hard of Hearing), Northfield Road, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.