DEAR SUN SPOTS: Are others having this problem? Some calls come in on medical, insurance or credit card issues and half the time I can’t hear them.

If you call to get help on bills, etc., you have at least five to seven options. Or they refer you to websites on the computer. Not everyone has one or can afford them. Thank you. — No Name, No Town

ANSWER: Sun Spots wasn’t quite sure what No Name’s question was, so she called and discovered a rather poor phone connection. So she contacted Jeffrey Nevins of media relations for Fairpoint Communications in Maine and New Hampshire. He followed up and wrote the following:

“One of our customer service reps called Mrs. N.N. on July 30 and indicated her phone sounded fine. Mrs. N.N. said she has had many techs out to her house to check on her connection, but they don’t find anything wrong.

“She said it may be feedback from her hearing aids or when she puts her phone on speaker. She thanked our rep and said she appreciated us calling her.”

Difficulty hearing on the phone is a common problem for seniors. Sun Spots’ grandmother was extremely hard of hearing. She had an old-fashioned rotary dial phone that had a little dial on the handset to amplify the volume. She found it indispensable. Now Sun Spots’ aunt uses that same phone.

Newer models of those phones appear to be available at stores such as Sears and Staples.

As for computers, while many seniors avoid them, they can be very helpful if you’re hard of hearing. You can take care of many things — paying bills, for example — with ease and without talking. Medicare.gov is an especially easy-to-use site.

Perhaps other readers will have suggestions for dealing with hearing loss and phones.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the reader with mold problems (July 13), Mold Armour by DampRid, which can be found at Lowe’s, Home Depot, etc. removes mold from most items, including cloth.

My granddaughter’s little blue blouse and white capris were covered with mildew. They had been rinsed but forgotten in the laundry basket. I sprayed Mold Armour on them and within minutes they were clean with no damage.

It also works quickly on white lawn chairs and vinyl siding. Most items do not even need to be rinsed, but I do because it is still a mystery to me where the mold/mildew goes (probably into my lungs).

Hope this helps. — Shirley Cummings, North Turner

DEAR SUN SPOTS: For mold removal try PureClean of Livermore, 897-3737.

Dehumidifiers help before mold accumulates. They even help in Ireland. — Daily Reader

ANSWER: For those who can’t afford a dehumidifier (or don’t want to add to their electric bill and carbon footprint, you might want to try the low-tech salt method. Place some calcium carbonate in a piece of cloth (an old sheet works well), tie a knot in the top and hang it over a bucket.

The salt will quickly absorb the moisture in the air and drip into the bucket. You can use the very salty water to kill weeds. Works well around flagstones and in rock walls.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have the seven sisters variety of rose that Heather was seeking (July 10), but do not live in the specified South Paris region. If interested, call 364-2946. — No Name, Rumford

DEAR SUN SPOTS: On Monday while shopping at BJ’s, I left a black coupon book in the cart. I am hoping one of your readers found it.

If you found it, please either return it to BJ’s and give them my name and number or contact me. Thank you so much. — Mary Crane, dmcrane@roadrunner.com, 225-2154

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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