A common misconception is that, if my eyesight is gone, so is my hearing. It's not true, nor is my hearing any more acute than yours is. I recently taught a college course and ran into an old acquaintance in the bookstore. I am sure that people in the gymnasium next door could hear his side of our conversation because his voice was so loud. In fact, it's still ringing in my ears.
Society can be extremely sensitive about political correctness.
I am perfectly capable of speaking for myself, so please don't address my companion instead of me. Recently a waitress kept asking my companion if I needed anything. My date handled the situation with grace. He asked the waitress for another waitress. When the other came, he asked her to relay to the first waitress the fact that we would like to end our meal with coffee.