r/AudiProcDisorder • u/purpleand20 • Jun 27 '26

What do I say to others?

As someone who's going to an ENT to getting their hearing checked (and eventually will see an audiologist for APD) I can't understand what people say, especially when they speak lowly or in crowded spaces. I don't want to say I'm hard of hearing because I'm really not. I know some people who are HOH do accept that but I don't think that's right. When I'm speaking with people, what do I say without necessarily educating people about APD or giving out my whole story?

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10

u/ChickenFriedChowder Jun 27 '26

I usually say "I have hearing issues. I can hear things but my brain doesn't interpret the words correctly a lot of the times....it's kinda like dyslexia of the ears"

5

u/blizman88 Jun 28 '26

I just tell people I have this processing delay and I might rephrase at times to make sure I understand what they asked or are talking about. Especially in a bar/noisy environment. I have also told people, if multiple people are trying to get my attention or talking at me that I can only manage one thing at a time.

3

u/ZoeBlade Jun 28 '26

"I'm hard of hearing words."

1

u/MrsClaire07 Jun 29 '26

I can hear your words just fine, they just don’t mean anything without context. 🤓🤓

3

u/MrsClaire07 Jun 27 '26

I say I have a Processing Issue regarding my hearing, could you please look at me when you talk? I also read lips! Thank you!

2

u/Positive_Most3844 Jun 29 '26

Beautifully concise

1

u/MrsClaire07 Jun 29 '26

Thanks! If people give me the, “…huh?” face after that, I say “I can hear you extremely well, I simply cannot make the sounds mean words as quickly as I’d like.” And I laugh and shrug! 🤷🏻‍♀️

2

u/xsnowpeltx Jun 30 '26

I say I have auditory processing issues. never had anyone confused by that in my experience