[Vedor]

Just curious, have you checked your hearing recently?

For a long time I believed that I can't hear anything in large groups because I'm introvert (which I am) and large groups exhaust me. Turned out to be hearing problem.

And the thing is that I never had a feeling that my hearing is poor. But some day I got tinnitus that did not go away over time, and after some tests I learnt that I'm almost deaf for high-frequency tones. It impairs speech understanding, especially when there is a lot of background noise like on busy street... or family gatherings.

[tartoran]

My hearing isn’t too bad, I tested it and I can hear okay. My problem is decoding speech in noisy environments, it is somewhat delayed and iffy at times. I am more inclined to think theres an audio processing issue. Haven’t tested for CAPD - central audio processing syndrome and am not sure it would help me any if I have it. Im at the stage of accepting my weaknesses, I used to be hard on myself before.

[Vedor]

Never heard of it, but I have almost all of its symptoms. Interesting. Thank you for mentioning CAPD.

[1123581321]

If you have CAPD, you can get a small ear filter which will actually help. (I have it and was diagnosed.)

[tartoran]

What is that? Can you provide more info? Very curious...

[1123581321]

The filter fits into my left ear based on a mold. It’s flesh-colored and visible when my head is viewed directly from the side. Otherwise, it can’t really be seen. It has holes in it but I don’t know its internal design. It was made almost 20 years ago, so I’m sure the state of the art has changed.

The filter limits unhelpful input into my left ear, which for me is conflicting input in voice range and high-pitched loud noises.

I was instructed to wear it for classes and meetings and to sit to the left of the main speaker when possible.

I haven’t worn it in years, but I credit it with a higher GPA and a few friendships that might have struggled to form if I hadn’t been able to hear well enough to converse.