Lately I've been having more trouble than usual understanding what people are saying. I am not entirely sure if I am actually having difficulties hearing what they are saying...or if I am simply (or not so simply) having issues processing what they are saying. I suspect it's the latter.
Either way, it's a problem.
When I watch TV or movies at home, I either have to turn the volume up high or use closed captioning to be able to follow what everyone is saying. The ironic thing is that I am sensitive to sound, so turning the volume up is usually uncomfortable. Most of the time I prefer closed captioning.
When I am having a conversation with someone, I sometimes find myself staring intently at the person's mouth when he or she is speaking to help with my comprehension. If I'm not looking at people when they are talking, I often don't understand what they have said. More and more I have found myself asking people to repeat things at least two or three times before I know what they are talking about.
People I talk to are starting to notice. It's getting frustrating.
My difficulty processing auditory input is not a new phenomenon; however, it has become more pronounced as of late. I've scheduled an appointment with my internal medicine doctor for early July, but I think I'm thinking about going straight to an audiologist (my insurance allows me to go directly to specialists). I'll have to call tomorrow to see if I can schedule an appointment.
I'm hoping my problem is as simple as having too much earwax! When I know what's going on, I'll write about it in a future post.
Update on June 16, 2009 at 9:57 AM: I made a call first thing this morning and was able to get an appointment with an audiologist for this afternoon. Here's hoping for earwax!
Update on June 16, 2009 at 6:01 PM: I had my hearing exam this afternoon. The good news is that there are no problems with my hearing and I don't have any earwax buildup. The bad news is that I still have to try to figure out why I'm having so much trouble understanding people lately.
My next step is to schedule an appointment with an ENT to see if he/she can find anything physically wrong. I think I'm going to wait until my July appointment with my internal medicine doc to see if she has any suggestions for ENT's. I'm actually hoping that this problem goes away as mysteriously as it started.
Either way, it's a problem.
When I watch TV or movies at home, I either have to turn the volume up high or use closed captioning to be able to follow what everyone is saying. The ironic thing is that I am sensitive to sound, so turning the volume up is usually uncomfortable. Most of the time I prefer closed captioning.
When I am having a conversation with someone, I sometimes find myself staring intently at the person's mouth when he or she is speaking to help with my comprehension. If I'm not looking at people when they are talking, I often don't understand what they have said. More and more I have found myself asking people to repeat things at least two or three times before I know what they are talking about.
People I talk to are starting to notice. It's getting frustrating.
My difficulty processing auditory input is not a new phenomenon; however, it has become more pronounced as of late. I've scheduled an appointment with my internal medicine doctor for early July, but I think I'm thinking about going straight to an audiologist (my insurance allows me to go directly to specialists). I'll have to call tomorrow to see if I can schedule an appointment.
I'm hoping my problem is as simple as having too much earwax! When I know what's going on, I'll write about it in a future post.
Update on June 16, 2009 at 9:57 AM: I made a call first thing this morning and was able to get an appointment with an audiologist for this afternoon. Here's hoping for earwax!
Update on June 16, 2009 at 6:01 PM: I had my hearing exam this afternoon. The good news is that there are no problems with my hearing and I don't have any earwax buildup. The bad news is that I still have to try to figure out why I'm having so much trouble understanding people lately.
My next step is to schedule an appointment with an ENT to see if he/she can find anything physically wrong. I think I'm going to wait until my July appointment with my internal medicine doc to see if she has any suggestions for ENT's. I'm actually hoping that this problem goes away as mysteriously as it started.
1 comment:
I get this - both the sound sensitivity and the comprehension problem. It's worse when I'm tired. I think you are right, it's the processing.
When I analysed all my activities with the Occupational Therapist I found conversation the most draining thing. One to one is slightly better than one to two people. Talking on the phone is easier because there isn't the visual component. It's very frustrating as I'm sure you've realised.
all the best. . .
Post a Comment