Communication problems Living in a big house can be difficult, especially when you have children and a hearing loss.

My children have a tendency to shout messages to me, for example: ‘I am going over to Kristian’s and will be back at four’. Often I do not catch what they are shouting, and still worse – do not even hear that the kids have left the house.

So there I am enjoying my coffee when I remember that there is something I want to say to the kids. But they are gone and while I am looking for them I start to panic. ‘Where on earth are they?’ When the kids finally come home I scold them. Then they get very angry and say: ‘We told you that we were going to Kristian’s’.

Then I have to tell them – again - that they have to stand in front of me so I can see their faces when they give me a message. That’s a nuisance. Both for them and me.