Hints from Heloise: A tip on proper microphone use and more

Dear Heloise: I read the letter about daily medication from Howard Zeff in our local paper (The Times of Northwest Indiana). I am 79 and also take several medications. My list of medications is in Excel, and I use it to check off the pills as I put them in the weekly pill box. I have added three additional columns where I put the shape, color, and numbers/letters on both the front and back of the pill. The pill may change if it comes from a different manufacturer.

Thanks to Mr. Zeff's letter, I am adding my medical insurance and Medicare numbers, as well as the pharmacy I use. I enjoy reading your column! - Libby Coffin, Munster, Indiana

HEARING ISSUES

Dear Heloise: In my senior citizen circle, difficulties with hearing appear to be widespread. People frequently ask "What did you say?" upon sensing that they'd been addressed. I have found, though, that if I say a person's name as the first word in my comment or question, this inevitably garners the addressee's attention.

It's a seeming cure to a lot of so-called "hearing" problems. - Jim R., in Houston

Dear Heloise: I wanted to write in on the topic of caring for feral cats. Yes, the poor creatures deserve care, but please do not do so at the expense of other people's health and property.

We own a small business and are constantly fending off cats. Well-meaning ladies dump smelly food on our pavement to feed them at night, but the food sours and attracts other varmint. It also deters public access and costs us in pest and rodent control.

We get no help from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or the police, unless the animals are caught in the act, which always happens at night. Please show the same respect for your neighbors as you do the cats! - Barbara Oliver, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Dear Heloise: A woman from Springfield, Illinois, said that when using a microphone, hold it directly in front of your mouth. But for a handheld mic, this is the worst place to put it.

The consonants B, F, P, S, T, and the combination "TH" are explosive consonants that produce little blasts of air. These blasts hit the mic shield and diaphragm, creating a pop, a thump, a hiss, or a distracting sound that is louder than the rest of the sounds. Put your hand 1 inch away from your mouth and say, "The boy taught his parrot to play." Notice all the puffs of air on your hand.

The better position is to hold the mic toward the side of your mouth at about a 45-degree angle pointing toward your mouth. All the puffs of air from the explosive consonants will blow straight forward, bypassing the mic and eliminating all unwanted sounds.

However, if there is a good foam pop filter over the head of the mic, you can ignore all the above directions and hold the mic right by your lower lip. (I was in a country gospel band for 10 years.) - H.H., New Haven, Indiana

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