DEAR HELOISE: As people age, their speech starts to slur. Consonants soften; voices become monotone. The guttural parts of sound lessen. Speaking clearly to compensate for the loss of these vocal characteristics is very helpful to older folks with tinnitus and ordinary hearing loss. (This was explained to me by an acoustical engineer.)
— Andy G.,
in Youngstown, New York
DEAR HELOISE: I very much related to the reader who wrote about enunciation. I often get people who know that I’m partially deaf and feel like they have to talk really loud, and I often tell them it’s not necessary. Although I can’t read lips, they don’t have to talk so loud.
There’s somebody I’d like to make this request to currently, but I think this particular person just has a loud voice. I think I’ll tell them that I appreciate them talking loudly because they know that I’m hearing impaired, but it’s not necessary. Will they get offended? Who knows!
— M.R.E., in Omaha, Nebraska
M.R.E., thanks for writing in! More and more people need assistance with hearing problems as our population ages. You never know when you might need to help or speak to someone who’s hard of hearing or completely deaf. In fact, about 15% of the American population has a hearing problem of some kind.
— Heloise
DEAR HELOISE: Andrea, in Tucson, Arizona, asked about downsizing. As a widow who was in the same predicament, I recommend giving family and friends an opportunity to choose items with a deadline. Knowing the size of my next residence gave me insight into how much I could keep. Also, you should make a list of donations for tax purposes.
Because I had some antiques and vintage collectibles, I hired someone who deals with estate sales to conduct a sale of what I hadn’t already donated and to oversee day-after pickups. It entitled them to a percentage of the proceeds. I moved prior to the sale, and whatever wasn’t sold at the sale was donated. They also cleaned up afterward, so the house was practically ready to put on the market.
I just wish that it hadn’t taken me 10 years to get a good plan together!
— Becky B., in Oregon
DEAR HELOISE: I call this concoction “banana juice.” I take 5 or 6 banana peels, slice them crosswise, and place them in a quart jar. I add water to the top and let it sit for a few days. When I water my houseplants with this, they grow like mad! All my plants love banana juice.
I live in Alton, Illinois, and read your column in the Telegraph.
— Patti W., via email
Send in your household hints to Heloise at [email protected]
SHOPPING SOUND OFF
Dear Heloise: Recently, I decided to go shopping at a large store. It was on a rainy day, and I had gone through my sock drawer and thrown away some threadbare socks. So, off I went! But I noticed that these days, there are less helpers in stores to ask questions like, “Where are the womens’ socks? — Faith G., via email
Faith, this a problem everywhere due to places being understaffed. People get angry when they find something they want to purchase, and no one’s there to ring up the sale. Or they have questions, but no one can answer them.
I suggest asking to see a store manager and letting them know what’s bothering you. You’re a paying customer, and someone should take the time to wait on you. — Heloise
(c)2026 by King Features Syndicate Inc.
Hence then, the article about hints from heloise always speak very clearly to older people was published today ( ) and is available on TribToday ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( HINTS FROM HELOISE: Always speak very clearly to older people )
Also on site :
- Robinhood just rolled out trading agents to millions—and investing may never be the same
- Feds Say AI Music Fraudster Deserves Prison For Stealing Royalties From ‘Hard-Working Songwriters’
- Erik and Lyle Menendez killed their parents in 1989 and got life without parole; both are now serving 50 years to life and are eligible for parole for the first time