Does anyone else suffer from this / is this a thing?

[ImaLumberJack]

As long as I can remember, I have had trouble deciphering recorded audio. I can hear most things perfectly well with no trouble at all, but if it is sound that has been recorded and transmitted via radio, CD, phone, etc. I have always struggled. Languages listening exams were particularly hard.

Recently, I've realised there are some things I just can't hear at all that other people seem to find fine. Ordering tannoy thing at McDonalds? I simply can't understand at all. Same with announcements in an airport, train station, etc. I can hear TV totally fine, but I just watched something on the TV that had someone speak on the speakerphone of a mobile. I couldn't decipher a word. DH heard the whole thing.

Is this a thing? Google doesn't seem to think so. Anyone have any idea? Thanks

Auditory processing disorder?

Well it sounds like auditory processing disorder OP. Did you really not find that on Google? I just searched "Difficulty processing recorded sound" and that's what came up on multiple results.

Do you ever have trouble when people give you directions? Can you follow multiple steps?

I'm fine with directions and multiple steps. I have no problems with first-hand speech at all.

I Googled 'difficulty hearing recorded sound', which came up with different results. Thanks, I'll take a look.

S I looked - this is one list of symptoms of APD:

Difficulty following multi-step or complex directions. NO
Difficulty multi-tasking in auditory situations, e.g., listening and taking notes. NO
Spelling, reading, writing issues. NO
Lack of music appreciation. NO
Problems with the ability to localize the source of a signal. Possibly
Difficulty following conversation on the telephone. YES
Difficulty following directions. NO
Difficulty with rapid or accented speech. NO
Difficulty following long conversations. NO
Difficulty learning a foreign language or technical information where language is novel or unfamiliar. NO (linguist)
Social issues and difficulty "reading" others/pragmatic communication issues. NO
Problems organizing at home, work, and other environments. NO

So, I'm thinking probably not APD.

Have you had a hearing test. Do you think you might be lip reading when you watch tv or speak to someone?

Well, I don't know. I often have the TV on in the background and can still hear/process even though I'm doing something else (ie. reading Mumsnet). However, my desk at work has recently moved and I can no longer see my colleague's face, and that is making me much less able to converse properly, so perhaps somewhat?

I do, though, REALLY struggle in busy environments with lots of people talking, so actually maybe I was wrong when I said it's just recorded sound. Maybe it's the unwanted background noise.

I also struggle to hear when in busy places with a lot of background noise. Some tannoy announcements I find difficult to understand but I always put it down to how clear they were speaking.

I'd go for a hearing test.

I have this. I always have subtitles on the telly.

Better with radio.
Terrible with the phone.
Not great in restaurants, loud bars.
Have had my heating tested. Test was non comparative as was in a silent room. I passed with flying colours and got discharged.

I also struggle with accents too.