17/05/2025
This little snippet highlights the often-humorous yet sometimes frustrating reality of trying to connect when age-related hearing difficulties and loud environments collide. While there's a sweetness in their shared history and effort to reconnect, the inability to properly hear each other creates misunderstandings and prevents a meaningful catch-up (which makes weddings so special for many). Choosing venues or times with lower background noise is crucial for those with hearing impairments to fully participate in social events. Perhaps designated quieter areas at celebrations could make a world of difference.
"Is that really you? My goodness, haven't seen you since... well, since young Timmy's christening, wasn't it?"
"Eh? Speak up, dear! This music is something else, isn't it?"
"I said, hello stranger!"
"Oh! Yes, yes, it's me, Arthur! You've gone a bit grey on top, haven't you?"
"Grey? Well, time marches on, Elsie! You're looking… well, you're looking… are those new glasses?"
"What's that, dear? Buses? No, these are my reading glasses. Lost the other pair, you see. Dreadful nuisance."
"Reading glasses! Of course. So, how are you keeping? The family all well?"
"Family? Oh, they're fine, thank you. Bit noisy here to talk about all that, though. Did you say something about a jelly?"
"No, no jelly! I asked about the FAMILY! The children!"
"Oh, the children! Yes, they're all grown up now. Michael's in… in… somewhere far away. Australia, maybe? Can't quite recall. And young Susan, she's got a lovely little dog. Fluffy thing."
"Australia! Goodness me. And Susan's got a dog? Well, isn't that something. I remember when they were just knee-high to a grasshopper, chasing frogs in the pond!"
"Frogs? Oh, yes, the pond! Remember old Mr. Henderson's prize-winning… what was it? Roses? Or was it pigeons?"
"Never mind that now, Elsie. It's just lovely to see you. We must have a proper catch-up soon, when it's a bit quieter."
