NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — How’s that? Eh?
Come again?” This is an open letter to all public speakers, and, if I dare, to all of those engaged in conversations.
When I went to Dr. John Shea of Memphis, Tenn., a world-renowned hearing and audio man, he said, “Mr. Hall, I’m not putting ahearing aid on you because you are just one decibel shy of good hearing. My advice is just sit near the front.” A 340-mile trip just for that!
Some observations:
No. 1. Public speakers are afraid of the microphone. They act as if it will bite them if they get too close. I hear about one word out of three at most gatherings.
No. 2. The mikes are put there not for your natural voice, but to remind you to project your normal voice. I wish Mrs. Rudolph, my college speech teacher, were there to remind speakers of that.
No. 3. For the 50 percent of people who are 50 years of age and above and who have a slight hearing impairment (that’s half the audience), don’t make us cup our ears to hear.
I stopped attending a prayer request service because there seemed to be an unwritten rule that when you request prayer, you do it in a lower voice. I was sitting there wondering what all the requests were - with the exception of two clergymen who spoke in a clear voice.
No. 4. Those with acute hearing are being anti-social. They are disregarding the large percentage who are not hearing.
I’ve experienced it both ways - hearing well and not hearing. But Mrs. Rudolph convinced me to speak so the person in the back row could hear. I may not say much, but at least it can be evaluated by the hearer.
THE REV. ANDREW HALL RECENTLY CELEBRATED 70 YEARS AS AN ORDAINED PASTOR. HE SERVED FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF FAYETTEVILLE FROM 1952 TO 1970. HE NOW PREACHES AT ELKINS COMMUNITY CHURCH ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH.
Religion, Pages 8 on 07/24/2010