AS a victim of deafness, I am rather contemptuous of the indifference of the public (excluding a few friends) to learn how to speak to us, making no effort to speak slowly and distinctly.

Television is a gabble; no music, no bird-song and lonely in a happy company. Apparently an irritable incoherent bawling into my cringing ears is sufficient.

May I quote the notice I have had exhibited on my front door? ``If you wish to contact me, do please speak slowly and distinctly, avoiding controversy. By so doing you will help me to avoid the onset of hypertension, gastric over-acidity, and paroxysmal tachycardia that induce the testy responses which characterise people of my age.''

P A Macnab,

Fairway, Summerlea Road,

West Kilbride.