Communication problems

I probably already mentioned this before but my MS affects my breathing diaphragm and has weakened it significantly. This probably wouldn't be as big a deal except I have had sinus problems my whole life. Since I said leaning back now in my chair my sinuses tend to drain back into my breathing system. I would say that I am a phlegm monster. I did some research and found that many of the products on the market would work if I used the version that had – D on the end. This bed it was a decongestant. I tried using some over-the-counter and found a helped but I still had many days where I spent the whole day coughing and coughing and coughing. Went to the doctor a few weeks ago to discuss my options and she prescribed me one of the over-the-counter products with the decongestant. You might wonder why need a prescription, it is because the law only allows purchase of this product for 3 weeks. Then you have to wait. Of course if you need more they suspect you are making meth and so I needed a doctor's prescription. Strangely though is not covered by insurance because it is "available over-the-counter". So now I take 2 of these a day and after 5 days I am more or less alleviated of the constant coughing. I still have some drainage but it's only about 10% what it used to be. I guess I'm counting this as a win.
So one of my biggest problems is communication and the constant coughing was a real hindrance. I still have problems speaking with background noise because by diaphragm is still weak. I find it difficult to talk loud enough for anyone to hear me. I also have hearing problems in my left ear and have difficulty hearing other people. Between these 2 things which is a combination of MS problems and old-age problems and find I am more isolated because whenever we go anywhere there is always background noise so I have trouble being involved in conversations. I feel bad because I want to be involved and it frustrates other people when I can't hear them. At least some of the phlegmy cough is now abated. When other barriers are speaking is from my trigeminal neuralgia procedure called a rhizotomy. To eliminate the trigeminal pain they burned the nerve bundle and because of this the right side of my face especially around my mouth is numb. This makes it more difficult to talk clearly and what I hear in my head is not always what comes out clearly. So between these 3 things I find communication difficult. When I'm around other people I find I want to enjoy their company but am very frustrated by my problems. Many times I have to communicate to my wife and she can sort of understand me and read my lips a little bit. Then she tried to tell somebody what I said. I think it ends up being frustrating for everyone involved and I found it works out best buy just sit there quietly and my wife feeds me and lets me have a beer or 2.