@dwi. I'm sure others will have some good tips on how to hear better in the situations you described. I personally have no qualms about asking people for help. Could you get together with the people you'd like to be friends with to talk one on one in a quiet setting? You could explain that you'd really like to get to know them better but you're having trouble hearing them clearly in group situations. You could ask them to speak slowly, really watch their faces as they talked, listen intently, and get used to how they speak. I should think they would be flattered you want to get to know them and be willing to help. If they don't, you probably don't want to know them anyway. The place where you live sounds beautiful. Good luck. Nancy